How Tim Walz’s Educational Policies Benefited Black K-12 Students

By Quintessa Williams | Word In Black(WIB) – Kamala Harris is making history as the first woman of Black and South Asian descent to be the Democratic presidential nominee. Her chosen vice presidential pick, Gov. Tim Walz, not only adds to the historic nature of her campaign but also brings a wealth of experience in education policy.Walz, the Minnesota governor and a former schoolteacher, is the first educator in 50 years to land a spot on a major party’s presidential ticket. He made significant strides in improving K-12 education in Minnesota, with a particular focus on equity and support for underserved communities.Walz’s commitment to K-12 education reform has significantly improved the lives of Minnesota’s Black students. By focusing on increased funding, early childhood education, equity, teacher support, and mental health services, his policies have addressed critical issues that have historically hindered the academic success of Black students — and educational policymakers and advocates hope he will elevate his dedication to the issue to a national stage. One of the cornerstone achievements of Walz’s administration has been the substantial increase in funding for public education. In May 2019, he signed a $20 billion education funding bill that boosted public school funding...