Minnesota can no longer turn a blind eye to the severe teacher shortages and long-term teacher supply issues in the state. A lack of teachers is affecting academic opportunities and achievement in our schools. Read Minnesota’s Teacher Crisis Report View a brief on this issue View the presentation from our October 7 meeting Where We Stand The current trends in … Read More
Facility Fallout Bills
There are a series of options under legislative consideration to address the facility fallout in Minnesota and improve equity in facility and technology funding for our state’s schools in 2016 – and beyond. Learn more about the Facility Fallout. The School Facilities Task Force report from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is still viable. Several bills have been introduced … Read More
Broadband Access
Technology has become a key component in educating today’s students. Yet, in rural Minnesota broadband access remains sparse. View printer-friendly brief on this issue. Where We Stand Here are the current facts on broadband access: Currently 72 rural counties have less than 90% household access to the former standard of broadband: 10 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload speeds. Thirteen … Read More
Seasonal Rec
The equalization of Local Optional Revenue (LOR) has left out some of the poorest school districts in the state. The property wealth of school districts in the Central Lakes and Northeast Minnesota regions are among the highest in the state, and yet they have almost no relation to median income or Free and Reduced Lunch percentages. The 23 school districts … Read More
Transportation Sparsity
Minnesota’s current transportation sparsity formula falls short of the needs of the state’s school districts that a geographic area greater than 500 square miles. Minnesota’s Transportation Sparsity Revenue formula funds adds costs of providing transportation in districts with fewer than 200 pupil units per square mile. This is over and above the transportation funding all districts receive of $250.94 per … Read More
MREA Hosts Area Meetings on Key Topics
MREA will host 10 Area Meetings this fall to gather input on the issues that matter most to Greater Minnesota schools. Information from these meetings will be used to build MREA’s platform for the 2016 legislative session. The 2015 Area Meetings will be held in August and September at schools across the state, from Blue Earth to Thief River Falls. Teachers, … Read More
MREA Analysis of MCA Tests Reveal Striking Results
MREA released today a regional analysis of the 2015 MCA test data in math, reading and science from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). Among the most striking results is rural Minnesota severely lags in science achievement. The analysis also revealed that one Greater Minnesota region is leading the state in overall achievement. Students in the school districts located in … Read More
MDE Releases MCA Test Data
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) released an overview of the 2015 MCA test results. The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) are state tests in mathematics, reading and science that meet the requirements of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). They are given every year to measure student performance against the Minnesota Academic Standards that specify what students in … Read More
Early Bird Workshops Announced for Annual Conference
The five early bird sessions offered at the 2015 MREA Annual Conference features timely education and dialogues on everything from early learning standards and teacher job satisfaction to engaging students with technology and American Indian education. Learn more about each session below. Great Beginnings: When Learning Starts Early, Inspires and Applies kicks off Nov. 15 with 90-minute workshops that give participants a deeper understanding … Read More
Conference Early Bird Discount Extended to Friday
The Early Bird conference registration discount for MREA’s 2015 Annual Conference has been extended through Friday, August 7. Save with Early Bird Registration MREA members can register a team of 3 individuals from the same organization for Great Beginnings: When Learning Starts Early, Inspires and Applies, for only $495. This is a $150 savings off the regular team registration rate. The team rate after Friday will … Read More