After three packed weeks of bill introductions and testimony, both the House and Senate Omnibus Education Policy Bills passed out of committee for their first deadline. HF 3066 DE and SF 2744 A5 are designed to include policy changes that do not have state-level cost impacts. View side-by-side comparison of bills. Some of the more significant proposed policy changes include: Personal … Read More
Budget Forecast Retracts to $900 Million
The updated state budget forecast released today reveals a slight retraction in the $1.2 billion surplus initially projected as of December to $900 million, according to Minnesota Management and Budget. Legislative leaders now have to grapple with the budget news as they head into session on March 8. The competition for tax cuts, transportation spending and early learning funding just got more … Read More
Senate E-12 Committee Reviews Early Childhood Scholarships
The Senate E-12 committee last week reviewed an evaluation report from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) on early childhood scholarships in terms of their efficiency, funding distribution and impact on readiness and student growth. View the full report. After many years of piloting the program, the legislature created the Early Learning Scholarships Program in 2013 (MS 124D.165). The scholarships aim to … Read More
MDE Releases Results of Early Learning Survey
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) released late last week the results of its early learning opportunities survey of communities across the state. The report highlights several areas of concerns to address before the state facilitates the expansion of quality early learning. A major area of concern revolves around staff availability, largely due to low compensation and lack of available and … Read More
Take State Survey on Early Learning
MREA encourages members to complete a survey by the Minnesota Department of Education on early learning. MDE is conducting a survey based on the feedback received during listening sessions last month. Please complete the survey by Thursday, Dec. 17. Early learning is a top priority on MREA’s Legislative Platform for 2016. While there is wide support for early learning and expanded … Read More
Early Childhood Intervention Council Seeks Members
The Governor’s Interagency Coordinating Council on Early Child Intervention needs parents and special education representatives to help rural voices be heard. This council is one of many state boards and councils with vacancy notices released this week by the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon. This Governor’s Council has 17 vacancies total: January 2016 Vacancies (Twelve Seats) Three Parents … Read More
MREA Members Approve 2016 Legislative Platform
MREA announced today its platform of the key education issues for the 2016 Legislative session. MREA members approved the platform at the annual business meeting on Nov. 16. The platform comes from months of grassroots input, research and reflection on how to keep us positioned to be effective in the legislative process. Anticipating that property tax reductions will be a … Read More
Get 2015 Annual Conference Resources
MREA hosted the 2015 Annual Conference on Great Beginnings: When Learning Starts Early, Inspires and Applies from Nov. 15-17 at Cragun’s on the Lake in Brainerd. We share the electronic versions of the presentations and resources we received from featured speakers, general sessions and breakouts here. Featured Speakers Building Strong Foundations for Early Student Success Economics of Investing in Early … Read More
MREA Prepares for 2016 Legislative Session
MREA traveled the state through the fall and heard from Greater Minnesota schools. Now it’s time to focus our collective voice on behalf of rural students as the 2016 legislative session approaches. The MREA Board of directors recommends the following platform for member approval at the annual meeting at the 2015 MREA Annual Conference on Nov. 17. View the proposed platform. The proposed platform focuses … Read More
Early Learning Listening Sessions Coming Near You
The Minnesota Department of Education, in partnership with the Minnesota Initiative Foundations and Minnesota’s Future, is holding regional community listening sessions across the state this November. The aim is to learn how the state can be more effective in linking policies, programs and practices to ensure every child in Minnesota has a high-quality early education. Learn more or register. The key questions … Read More