This bill introduces significant changes to Minnesota's education system, particularly in the areas of social studies and ethnic studies. It suspends the adoption of new social studies standards, delaying the review cycle from the 2020-2021 school year to the 2030-2031 school year. Additionally, the bill repeals existing ethnic studies requirements and cancels related appropriations, including the provisions that allowed ethnic studies courses to fulfill various credit requirements. The bill also amends Minnesota Statutes to remove the requirement for the commissioner of education to embed ethnic studies in academic standards, effectively retracting previously established educational mandates.

Moreover, the bill proposes a reduction in base funding for fiscal year 2026 and beyond, decreasing it from $39,667,000 to $39,517,000. It mandates that school districts and charter schools continue to provide instruction based on the 2012 social studies standards until new standards are adopted after the upcoming review process. The repeal of specific statutes means that high schools will no longer be required to offer ethnic studies courses starting in the 2026-2027 school year, nor will elementary and middle schools be mandated to provide ethnic studies instruction by the 2027-2028 school year. These changes will take effect the day after the bill is enacted, marking a significant shift in the state's educational focus.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 120B.021, 120B.024, 120B.11, 124D.861