MnSCU Chancellor Steven Rosenstone responded to changes made to concurrent enrollment by the Higher Learning Commission. He spoke with Minnesota’s school superintendents during Minnesota Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius’ December conference call. “I am very aware of the consternation circulating since last spring’s HLC decision regarding credentialing of concurrent enrollment teachers,” Rosenstone said. “I want to assure you of the commitment … Read More
Legislature Offers Free College Tuition in Pilot Program
The Minnesota Legislature will provide up to two years of free tuition and general fees at Minnesota two-year public colleges for students admitted to career tech programs in “high demand” fields. MREA encourages schools to share this with their high school counselors and seniors. This program is first-come, first serve and open to students from families earning up to $90,000 annually. It’s … Read More
Conference: Addressing Bullying in Schools
School leaders will come together Jan. 22 for Minnesota Safe and Supportive Schools Conference: Addressing Bullying in Schools. Register now. The conference is designed for Minnesota school administrators, school principals, teachers, school support staff, parents, student leaders, education stakeholders and community members. The conference will help participants build on their knowledge about bullying prevention and creating positive school climates. Learn more. … 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
Rockford, Crookston Schools Recognized by Humphrey School
Two MREA member schools, Rockford Area Schools and Crookston Public Schools, have been recognized by the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota as recipients of its ninth annual Local Government Innovation Awards. Rockford was recognized for “Growing Young Stewards: A School and Community Partnership.” Crookston was recognized for “Closing the Achievement Gap.” Nearly 80 submissions were judged … Read More
Star Tribune Publishes Series on Growing Rural-Metro Divide
The Star Tribune published part one in a three-part series on the growing rural-urban divide, called “Better Together.” The first set of articles focuses on signs of the widening gap. View the series. The Star Tribune reports that the divide is widening in Minnesota in key measures of age, income educational attainment, race and culture and those gaps threaten the … Read More
State Forecast Reveals $1.2 Billion Surplus to Spend
Minnesota Management & Budget on Thursday released an economic forecast for state tax collections and spending for the current and next fiscal biennium. The forecast shows a $1.87 billion surplus for the current biennium, which ends on June 30, 2017. Current law requires one-third of that projected surplus to be put into the state’s budget reserve, increasing it to almost … Read More
Minnesota Awards $11 Million for Broadband Projects
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) awarded $11 million in grants to projects to expand broadband access in 15 Greater Minnesota communities. The announcement came Nov. 20 at the Blandin Foundation’s annual “Border to Border Broadband: Better Together” Conference. The latest round of broadband grants will improve access to high-speed broadband for 3,222 households, 786 businesses and … Read More
ESEA Rewrite Passes U.S. House
The U.S. House overwhelmingly approved the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), 359 to 64, on Wednesday. The bill, molded out of ESEA, reduces the federal role in education for the first time since the early 1980s, handing greater control over accountability and school improvement back to states, while maintaining and increasing funding important to schools. It keeps in place the NCLB … Read More