The Minnesota State Demographic Center’s statistic that Minnesota only maintains a positive migration of 8,000 working-age residents because of an annual influx of 20,000 international migrants became evident during MREA’s statewide tour this fall with superintendents, teachers and school board members. Here are just four examples from MREA member schools: East Grand Forks Superintendent Mike Kolness called a meeting of city, … Read More
Springfield Students Increase ACT Scores
Springfield High School seniors who took the ACT test as juniors last spring increased their scores in all four areas of the popular U.S. college admissions test. The second time they took the test in the spring they averaged a composite score of 22.6, 2.6 points higher than the national ACT average. The ACT, originally an abbreviation of American College Testing, … Read More
A Facility Vision that Really Brings in Community
Matt Grose had a vision and spearheaded a bond referendum that passed with a remarkable 68 percent rate. What was different about this referendum than others the school district had not previously passed? Grose’s community-minded approach. Instead of focusing solely on the enrollment growth straining the elementary school, Deer River Schools Superintendent Grose expanded his vision to include the needs … Read More
MREA Announces 2016 Profiles of Excellence
MREA announced today the 2016 Profiles of Excellence Award recipients honoring the best practices and programs in schools in Greater Minnesota. Little Falls Community Schools received the 2016 Exemplary Award for its Flyer Media Productions video program. Deer River Public Schools earned the 2016 Honorable Mention for its community-minded execution of its bond referendum. “These programs highlight the ingenuity and … Read More
Conference Sessions to Address Student Success
As we move through today’s educational evolution, how can you best plan the path of changes needed for your students’ success? Start by planning to attend MREA’s 2016 Annual Conference: Making Teaching Matter. Breakout session presenters will share how to improve opportunities for our students to succeed in their classrooms, schools, and lives. Making Teaching Matter will offer nearly 40 sessions in total and provide ample networking and … Read More
MDE Hosting Meetings on ESSA, State Plan
The Minnesota Department of Education will host regional meetings throughout the state to discuss the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Commissioner Brenda Cassellius and staff want to learn and hear thoughts about ESSA and the vision so far for Minnesota’s state plan. ESSA, the nation’s latest pre-kindergarten through grade 12 education law, was signed into law in December 2015. It’s the newest version … Read More
Report Encourages Rural Education to Capitalize on Assets
The National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) recently released a report on the challenges and issues facing rural schools. This was a follow up to a 2004 study by NASBE and asked: what has changed in ten years, and what are new challenges facing state level policy makers? The report identified key issues facing rural education: High percentage … Read More
Minnesota Rural Schools Improve Science Performance
A regional analysis of the 2016 MCA test results in math, reading and science, released today by MREA, shows an increase in science proficiency across Minnesota’s rural schools. Rural science achievement improved with 2.4 percent more Greater Minnesota students in grades 5, 8 and demonstrating proficiency. This improvement was twice the metro improvement of 1.2 percent and exceeded the statewide … Read More
Nominate Best Programs and Practices
Now is the time to nominate your best practices and programs from this school year for MREA’s 2016 Profiles of Excellence Awards. From Ada to Zumbrota, across Greater Minnesota, MREA wants to know about members’ programs that serve as examples of innovative educational opportunities for our rural students. What are the compelling practices or programs at your school or educational organization? Criteria Consider these questions as … Read More
Nominate Best Programs and Practices
Now is the time to nominate your best practices and programs from this school year for MREA’s 2016 Profiles of Excellence Awards. From Ada to Zumbrota, across Greater Minnesota, MREA wants to know about members’ programs that serve as examples of innovative educational opportunities for our rural students. What are the compelling practices or programs at your school or educational organization? Criteria Consider these questions as … Read More