On December 2, 2024, Center of the American Experiment (CAE), represented by the Upper Midwest Law Center (UMLC), filed a lawsuit against the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and Commissioner Willie Jett, alleging violations of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (DPA).
The case alleges MDE’s repeated failure to provide public data, specifically regarding the controversial Ethnic Studies Working Group’s draft Ethnic Studies Course Framework, despite requests submitted more than 56 days ago. The “Framework” is designed to inform how the MDE implements Ethnic Studies courses required by the 2023 Trifecta starting in 2026-2027. Under that newly passed law, a credit in Ethnic Studies will be allowed to replace, for example, a math or science credit for Minnesota high school students.
The complaint also alleges that MDE earlier this year ignored multiple requests by CAE for other information on the Ethnic Studies Working Group for months until UMLC threatened legal action for that violation of the DPA. The lawsuit thus seeks the immediate release of the draft Framework, which was completed more than 2 months ago, and other requested data, plus an injunction to end MDE’s alleged pattern of “stonewalling” or “slow-rolling” responses to public data requests.
“Enough is enough,” said James Dickey, Senior Counsel at UMLC. “The Minnesota Department of Education has repeatedly failed to deliver public data to the Center of the American Experiment, even when put on notice to stop concealing the data. The Department’s actions violate state law and deny Minnesotans the transparency they are entitled to from their government. The public deserves to see the workings of the Ethnic Studies Working Group and judge for themselves the appropriateness of its recommendations for our Minnesota schools.”
The Ethnic Studies Working Group’s draft Ethnic Studies Course Framework has generated substantial public concern and scrutiny due to its ideological content and future impact on how Ethnic Studies will impact Minnesota’s K-12 academic standards and future Ethnic Studies courses. CAE has been investigating the Group’s work for the public’s benefit.
“The lack of transparency from the Minnesota Department of Education is deeply troubling,” said Catrin Wigfall, Education Policy Fellow at Center of the American Experiment. “We’ve repeatedly requested information about the Ethnic Studies Working Group’s draft ‘Framework’ to better inform the public about the process behind these significant changes to Minnesota schools. Instead of complying with the law, MDE has chosen to obstruct and delay, which only raises more questions about what they’re hiding.”
UMLC and CAE are committed to ensuring that government agencies comply with the law and operate in the public’s interest.
For more information about this case, see the complaint.
