Dayton eyes expansion of education provider rating system

Gov. Mark Dayton said Wednesday that state law already allows officials to create a statewide rating system for daycare and early childhood education providers so there's no need for legislation or any other action.

Lawmakers defeated such legislation earlier this spring. Advocates worried that defeat would cripple Minnesota's chances of winning up to $50 million later this year in a federal competitive grant called "Race to the Top."

Ratings systems are required to win that money. The governor now says current authority in the law will allow a previously piloted system to be expanded statewide. He said that also puts more focus on pre-kindergarten learning.

"We recognize the need for continuum; from the first months, to the first years, to all-day kindergarten, to emphasis on reading and proficiency in the first, second and third grade," he said.

Opponents of a ratings system say it puts too much government into parents' ability to raise children as they see fit.