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Minnesota judge approves new ethnic studies standard
Judge Eric Lipman recommended the adoption of most of the new standards into Minnesota’s social studies curriculum, with one notable exception.
Editor’s Note: This video aired Nov. 8, 2023.
On Tuesday, an administrative law judge approved new standards for teaching social studies, including an ethnic studies strand. Here’s what that means for teachers and students.
Per state statute, these academic standards must be evaluated every ten years. According to the report, the notable changes this time around include standards for career and college readiness, increased opportunities to learn about the history of Dakota and Anishinaabe peoples, and an ethnic studies strand.
The ethnic studies strand has sparked the most reaction from Minnesotans. Democrats have largely been in support of adding it into classrooms while some Republicans have opposed it, arguing that it’s not part of state law.
After presiding over public hearings Nov. 8 and 9, Judge Eric Lipman recommended the adoption of most of the new standards, with one notable exception.
The judge rejected a sub-section that instructs students to “use ethnic and Indigenous studies, methods and sources in order to understand the roots of contemporary systems of oppression and apply lessons from the past in order to eliminate historical and contemporary injustices.”
The report on the new standards and Judge Lipman’s ruling says this subsection is too vague and suggests two language-changing options that could improve it.
Chief Administrative Law Judge Jenny Starr agreed with Lipman’s findings, and says if the Department of Education decides to make changes to the subsection it can “resubmit the rule for further review.”
The new standards are scheduled to take effect in fall 2026.
Education Minnesota, the organization that represents public school teachers across the state, lauded Judge Lipman’s ruling, saying the revised standards “will prepare the next generations of Minnesotans to understand our shared history.”
“The proposed social studies standards, including the ethnic studies strand, will provide the framework educators can use to present the parts of American history that have been suppressed or whitewashed while retaining the inspirational stories in which our nation lived up to its ideals,” said Education Minnesota President Denise Specht in a released statement.
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Last week, prosecutors charged John Sawchak with attempted 2nd-degree murder and other felony charges after he allegedly shot his neighbor Davis Moturi.
MINNEAPOLIS — Following the shooting between two neighbors, the Minneapolis City Council voted unanimously to request that the city’s auditor conduct an independent investigation into the incidents and cases between Davis Moturi and John Sawchak.
Moturi was allegedly shot by his neighbor, Sawchak, on Wednesday, Oct. 23 but Minneapolis police did not arrest Sawchak until days later.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara defended not arresting Sawchak sooner, calling it a “high-risk” situation. O’Hara later said the victim, who had complained about harassment from Sawchak for months, was failed by police. Sawchak was arrested this past weekend after an hours-long standoff.
Moturi suffered a fractured spine, two broken ribs, and a concussion in the shooting. “Mr. Moturi’s life matters and I’m sorry that for nearly a year, MPD did not treat it like it did,” said Council Member Robin Wonsley in a news release, “Today’s vote affirms that the City Council is committed to taking meaningful actions towards accountability and restoration, starting with this independent review.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey released this statement:
“Mayor Frey fully supports an independent review of this incident. The mayor and City are committed to always doing better, and this means closely examining past actions and finding where there may be ways to improve and grow. The mayor extends his condolences to Davis Moturi, his wife, Caroline, and their family and friends. The safety of our residents is a top priority and any form of violence or hate speech is completely unacceptable and does not align with who we are as a community. Brian O’Hara will continue to be the Minneapolis Police Chief.”
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