The Duluth News Tribune reports…

Lawmakers in the Minnesota House and Senate on Friday took up efforts to bridge the state’s opportunity gaps for students and weighed a series of plans designed to close those the divides.

Legislative leaders from both chambers have said it’s one of the top issues facing the Legislature this session. And both chambers have said they must take steps this year to reduce disparities in educational outcomes.

Education experts, students of color, advocates and others on Friday proposed a variety of plans aimed at boosting achievement among Indigenous students, students of color and low-income students around the state. They said broader representation of teachers of color and Indigenous teachers, better access to early childhood education, wider access to broadband in Greater Minnesota, more equitable school discipline procedures and possibly a constitutional right to “quality public education” could even the playing field.