E-12 Budget Target Pressure

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MREA asked members last week to contact their legislators and ask them to support a larger budget target for education than Governor Dayton had proposed in January. In the days to come after Governor Dayton announces his budget changes, DFL leaders in the House will unveil their budget targets for each major spending category (education, health & human services, transportation, … Read More

All Day K #1 Priority

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By Vernae Hasbargen, MREA Lobbyist When the chairs of the Senate and House K-12 committees met with the MREA Board recently, they agreed that fully funded Kindergarten for every student was their top priority. This week they put their words into action. In the House House Chair Paul Marquart heard several bills that add to the Governor’s proposed budget and increase … Read More

MREA Releases Maps Showing American Indian Students in Schools

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MREA has been actively engaged in  better understanding how Minnesota schools can serve their growing American Indian student populations. MREA analyzed data and released two maps today showing the number of American Indian students by district and their percentage of total district population. Where are AMI students across the state? MREA’s analysis of the number of American Indian students by … Read More

Video on Today’s Kindergarten for 21st Century Learners

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It is worth five minutes to see this video of a high quality, rural, full day, everyday kindergarten. This is why MREA supports funding for universal access to early childhood and full day everyday kindergarten. MREA thanks the teachers, administrators and staff of member district Chatfield and Superintendent Ed Harris, for this excellent video and programming for the children of … Read More

Openings for Minnesota American Indian Family Ombudsman positions

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OMBUDSPERSON FOR INDIAN FAMILIES 1450 ENERGY PARK DR, STE 106 ST. PAUL, MN 55108 651-643-2523 M.S. 257.0755 Appointing: Minnesota Indian Affairs Council Compensation: None Vacancies: Three (3) – Members The ombudsperson shall monitor agency compliance with all laws governing child protection and placement, as they impact Indian children through work with the courts, court officials, policy makers, service providers, social … Read More

Session on Drop Out Prevention and Recovery on Feb. 28

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Utilizing the Village: Effective Reengagement and Recovery Programming in Rural Communities February 28, 2013 1:30 pm-3:00 pm EDT Join the U.S. Department of Education and Jobs for the Future for this exciting culminating event, the last in a three-session series on rural dropout prevention and recovery sponsored by the Department. This webinar will feature a CIS Performance Learning Center in … Read More

Report: 3 Things That Work in Education

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MREA released a report Thursday focused on closing the achievement gap in Minnesota. The report identifies 3 Things That Work in Minnesota Education. MREA Executive Director Fred Nolan provided the report as testimony to the Minnesota House Education Finance Committee. This report outlines: The Practice How it works Data that proves its working How it has impacted students, teachers and … Read More

Minnesota 8th Graders Lead Pack in New Study

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Minnesota’s 8th graders were in the lead pack of nations and states in the 2011 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) released in December. Minnesota 8th graders ranked sixth in science and seventh in the world in mathematics. About 2,500 Minnesota 8th graders in 55 schools participated in the study. Most impressive was the 15 percentage point increase made by Minnesota … Read More

U.S. Grad Rate Report Highlights Minnesota Achievement Gaps

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A U.S. Department of Education report of four-year cohort graduation rates released in November shows a discouraging data related to the achievement gap. In Minnesota, American Indian students graduated at half the rate as White Non-Hispanic students, 42% compared to 84%, and African American (49%) and Hispanic (51%) students graduation rates were equally dismal. Gaps in Minnesota Graduation Rate for Graduating Class … Read More

Major Assessment Reform Effort Launched in Minnesota

mreaadminAchievement Gap, Assessment and Accountability

The state Assessment and Accountability Working Group voted last week to recommend dropping Minnesota’s GRAD exam and replacing it with new college-ready assessments designed to hold schools accountable for making sure every student graduates well-prepared for college or career. Commissioner Cassellius announced on the Minnesota Department of Education website on Friday that she plans to forward the final draft of … Read More