Note: These responses were crafted in response to the HF 630 delete all omnibus bills moved by Committee Chairs Representative Marquart. MREA made every attempt to track all the amendments, but this may not be all inclusive. You can track this bill online, but ignore the introductory version from February. MREA supports the direction and the implementation particulars of the following … Read More
Omnibus Education Bills Advance
At 11 pm on Thursday, the Senate E-12 committee put a close to what felt like a ramshackle day of unveiling, discussing, amending and finalizing their omnibus education bills. And yes, that was “bills” – plural. In the Senate The Senate has decided to move the policy reforms forward in a separate policy bill (SF 978) and a separate finance … Read More
MREA Responds to Senate Omnibus Bills
Note: These responses were crafted in response to the SF 453 and SF 978 delete all omnibus bills moved by Committee Chairs Senator Wiger and Senator Torres Ray. MREA made every attempt to track all the amendments, but this may not be all inclusive. Click here to track this bill, but ignore the introductory version from February. MREA supports the direction … Read More
Take Action: Education Policy Reform Debates Begin
Thank you to all who followed through with contacts to your legislators about the assessment reform and retirement of the GRAD. This will be a significant focus of debate during the omnibus bill mark-up process in the coming week. MREA will testify in support of these reforms, but it will be helpful to our cause if you continue talking to … Read More
Testing Overhaul for Students & Teachers
By Vernae Hasbargen, MREA Lobbyist After years of debating the merits of statewide tests continually redesigned to measure ever changing standards, the legislature appears ready to make significant changes. Retiring GRAD? An MDE Working Group on Assessment and Accountability, co-chaired by Fred Nolan, MREA’s executive director, has recommended replacing the high states tests in reading, math, and writing with ACT exams for all students. … Read More
Major Education Policy Reforms Survive First Bill Deadline
Last Thursday the House and Senate Education Policy committees put together omnibus education policy bills. Several major reforms made it into those House and Senate policy bills. There are always differences between House and Senate policy positions, but this year those differences are more nuance than substance. Here’s a look at what the current bills would mean: Grad Tests High-stakes … Read More
Staff Development Changes Coming in FY'14
Changes regarding staff development are coming in fiscal year 2014.The requirement for a distribution of staff development funds to buildings, district, and exemplary sites was repealed in the 2012 legislative session. The requirement to reserve 2% of general education revenue for staff development will resume in FY ’14 after four years of being waived. MREA does not expect this waiver … Read More
In Committee: Assessments, Licensure Exams and Integration
There are any number of education policy issues that could consume a vast amount of committee time. This session, however, it appears that assessments, licensure exams and integration aid are going to be the focus of discussion. Both the House and Senate Education Policy committees have started digging into these issues. It’s unclear where they”ll end up. Here’s where they … Read More
Education Policy Reforms Emerge at Capitol
Two education policy reforms are emerging at the State Capitol. A new bill was introduced to repeal a law made last session related to Minnesota Teacher Licensure Exams (MTLE) and the Senate Education Policy Committee on Tuesday will address recommendations from the Assessment and Accountability Working Group. Minnesota Teacher Licensure Exams The House Education Policy committee reviewed recent changes made … Read More
Teacher Evaluation Recommendations Expected Dec. 13
The Teacher Evaluation Task Force has created an extensive default model that reflects current statutes as well as an extensive road map of best practices, Curt Rock, a Foley teacher who serves on the task force told MREA. The draft could be pulled off the shelf and implemented, but Rock expects that most will choose parts beyond the statute requirements … Read More