Senate committee hears bill to remove statewide Algebra II graduation mandate, let districts choose math pathways

St. Paul — The Minnesota Senate Education Policy Committee on Feb. 19 considered Senate File 360, authored by Sen. Farnsworth, which would eliminate the statewide Algebra II high‑school graduation requirement and allow schools to offer locally designed third‑year math options tailored to students' career and postsecondary plans. The bill also would allow a personal finance course taught by a licensed math teacher to count as the third math credit.

Supporters told the committee the current one‑size‑fits‑all requirement is excluding large numbers of students from meaningful, career‑relevant coursework. “This was the reason that I ran for the Minnesota Senate,” Senator Farnsworth said, introducing the bill and saying the change would give districts flexibility on the third year of math. Scott Fedbrot, superintendent of Browerville Public Schools, said districts already personalize…