The Star Tribune Editorial Board correctly made the call for improving our schools in the recent editorial "Struggling schools need new solutions" (Oct. 6) Unfortunately, the editorial failed to analyze some of the "new solutions" supported by the current Legislature and Gov. Mark Dayton. So what direction are they taking us?

One "solution" they put into law was the elimination of basic high school graduation requirements designed to show that our kids have a strong foundation in reading, writing and math. The law still requires testing; but students don't have to meet any minimum expectations.

That's right, students now just have to take another test, but not pass it, to receive a high school diploma. Sure, graduation rates will likely go up without any minimum expectations, but unfortunately, it is also likely that more students will need remedial courses in college. The cost of a quality high school education will be shifted from our K-12 schools to students and families in the form of college tuition. It is simply the wrong path for our state to take.

Gov. Dayton and his liberal allies in the Legislature have not only lowered expectations for earning a high school diploma, but they also refuse to replace outdated tenure laws that force districts to hire the most senior teacher — rather than the best teacher. This basic flexibility afforded to hiring managers in nearly every other industry is denied in the one industry that we entrust to prepare our kids for the real world. Making decisions about teachers without regard to how effective they are is wrong, not only for our students but also for hardworking teachers. It denies many quality teachers who have impressed parents, administrators and students a chance to stay with their schools just because they were the last one hired.

Dayton and liberals in the Legislature are taking Minnesota in the wrong direction by eliminating basic expectations for earning a high school diploma and refusing to protect our best teachers. I urge Minnesotans to examine these issues and push for real, meaningful solutions for struggling schools. Our kids don't just deserve it — they need it.

Norm Coleman is chairman of the Minnesota Action Network and a former U.S. senator.