Minnesota has set a goal is to educate the 21st Century’s World’s Best Workforce. That will require 21st Century learning environments, yet 50 percent of our school facilities were built before 1976, prior to the digital revolution. In 288 school districts, local property taxpayers pay 100 percent of new or remodeled facilities. MREA released a report today outlining the challenges and … Read More
Minnesota BOT Changes Prompts Joint Hearing
The House Education Policy and Finance Committees met last week as a part of a joint hearing to receive an update from the Minnesota Board of Teaching on a series of proposed rule changes stemming from a Ramsey County court order and pressure to act on recently enacted legislation. The Ramsey County court ruled last month that the BOT was in … Read More
Are Schools Closing the Achievement Gap?
“Minnesota schools not closing the achievement gap” read the front page headline in the Star Tribune last week. The article went on to imply that districts were failing to meet the World’s Best Workforce (WBWF) law and that some districts’ funding could be in jeopardy in the 2017-18 school year. Read the Star Tribune article. MREA Executive Director Fred Nolan … Read More
NREA Opens Search for New Director
The National Rural Education Association has opened its search for a new Executive Director to coordinate, guide and grow the organization. The part-time position will officially begin January 1, 2017. The search schedule includes the following deadlines: Advertise position – January 31 through April 30, 2016 Conduct virtual and personal interviews – May through June 2016 Finalize successful candidate and partnerships by … 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
Groups Call for Broadband Investment for Rural Areas
A recent meeting hosted by the Blandin Foundation revealed a pressing need to educate legislators on the urgency of gaining funding for rural broadband expansion, grow legislative support and create a more permanent coalition of advocacy groups. The meeting comes as a state task force calls for investment this legislative session to bring much needed Internet service to rural areas and … Read More
Pension Commission Approves New Mortality Assumptions
The Pension Commission approved the new mortality assumptions—teachers on average are living two years longer. School organizations testified the proposed 1 percent increase in Employer TRA contributions be covered with an increase in state aid to school districts. The mortality assumption changes are effective immediately. View the Star Tribune article. The Minnesota Teachers Retirement Association provided this thorough report of the meeting: … Read More
Greater Minnesota Teachers Nominated for Teacher of the Year
MREA congratulates the 29 Greater Minnesota teachers nominated for the 2016 Minnesota Teacher of the Year. Education Minnesota announced on Wednesday the names of 114 candidates. A panel of 25 judges will review the applications, narrowing the list to a group of semifinalists and then finalists before naming the winner May 15. Read the Star Tribune article. MREA recognizes members… Becky Ylitalo, Badger … Read More
Hello world!
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!
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