For Immediate Release
Date: May 7, 2025
Contact: Parrish for Governor Campaign
Email: [email protected]
Website: parrish4mn.com
Phillip C. Parrish, Candidate for Governor of Minnesota 2026, Condemns Governor Tim Walz for Misleading Claims on Education Record
Minneapolis, MN – Phillip C. Parrish, candidate for Governor of Minnesota in 2026, today issued a sharp rebuke of Governor Tim Walz following the governor’s recent claim that Minnesota’s record-high graduation rate reflects the success of his administration’s education policies. Parrish, a staunch advocate for servant leadership and educational reform, accused Walz of peddling false narratives to mask a failing education system that is leaving Minnesota’s students unprepared for the future.
On May 7, 2025, Governor Walz posted on X, stating, “Minnesota’s graduation rate just reached the highest level on record,” attributing the 84.2% graduation rate for the class of 2024—equating to 59,720 seniors—to his administration’s $2.2 billion investment in public schools in 2023. However, Parrish called this claim a “gross misrepresentation of reality,” pointing to declining academic proficiency and a slipping national education ranking as evidence of Walz’s failed leadership.
“Governor Walz is celebrating a hollow victory while Minnesota’s children suffer the consequences of his misguided policies,” said Parrish. “This record-high graduation rate is nothing more than a mirage—achieved by lowering standards, not by improving education. Our students deserve better than a governor who prioritizes optics over outcomes.”
Data reveals a troubling reality beneath Walz’s claims. According to the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA), reading proficiency among Minnesota students plummeted to 49.9% in 2023, down from 59.2% in 2019. Math proficiency has followed a similar downward trajectory, dropping from 60% in 2016 to just 45% in 2024, as reported by the Minnesota Reformer. This means that roughly half of Minnesota’s graduates are leaving high school without the basic reading and math skills needed for success in college or the workforce.
“Governor Walz wants to take a victory lap for handing out diplomas, but what good is a diploma if our kids can’t read, write, or solve basic math problems?” Parrish questioned. “Under his watch, Minnesota’s national education ranking has fallen from #6 to #16. That’s not progress—that’s a disgrace.”
Parrish also criticized Walz for using the $2.2 billion education investment to fund what he called “politically motivated initiatives,” such as placing menstrual products in boys’ restrooms, rather than addressing core educational needs. “While test scores plummet, Governor Walz is more focused on advancing a radical agenda than ensuring our students can compete in the 21st century,” Parrish added.
The Parrish for Governor campaign has made education reform a cornerstone of its platform, promising to streamline administrative bloat, cut wasteful spending, and refocus resources on improving student outcomes. “As governor, I will hold schools accountable to real standards, not fabricated metrics,” Parrish pledged. “We will invest in teachers, empower parents, and ensure that a Minnesota diploma means something again.”
Parrish called on Governor Walz to stop spinning misleading narratives and address the crisis in Minnesota’s education system head-on. “The people of Minnesota deserve a leader who tells the truth and delivers results, not excuses,” he concluded. “In 2026, we will rebuild Minnesota’s education system on a foundation of integrity, excellence, and accountability.”
For more information on Phillip C. Parrish’s campaign and his vision for Minnesota, visit parrish4mn.com.
About Phillip C. Parrish
Phillip C. Parrish is a candidate for Governor of Minnesota in 2026, committed to servant leadership, community engagement, and ending fraud and waste in state government. A lifelong advocate for principled governance, Parrish aims to restore Minnesota’s education system, drive economic growth, and protect the values that make the state strong.
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