As the policy deadlines loom the discussion about respective budget plans is starting to emerge. With a $1.9 billion surplus in hand the debate about education should be a matter of how much and where to spend it. The House Ways & Means Committee meets Monday morning to take testimony on what should be the upper limits of spending by … Read More
Education Policy Shaping Up As Deadlines Loom
March madness is in full swing at the state Capitol. This Monday marks the beginning of the first bill deadline. By Friday policy bills must clear their respective policy committees in order to be viable to continue on this session. Traditionally there’s an omnibus education policy bill and that’s true this year as well. The House and Senate education policy … Read More
Inside the Education Technical Policy Bill
The House Education Innovation Policy Committee on Thursday began dissecting HF1591, sponsored by Rep. Sondra Erickson (R-Princeton). The proposed legislation serves as the Minnesota Department of Education’s policy bill and contains a number of wide-ranging proposed policy reforms brought forward by Department Commissioner Brenda Cassellius. Its companion, SF1495, sponsored by Sen. Chuck Wiger (DFL-Maplewood), was heard Wednesday in the Senate … Read More
Out-of-State Teacher Licensure Reform
A long predicted shortage of K-12 teachers has arrived and MREA has been working to raise awareness about this quiet crisis and bring forward a solution for Minnesota. HF645, sponsored by Rep. Deb Kiel (R-Crookston), proposes to streamline the process so teachers who are licensed out-of-state can teach in Minnesota classrooms. The bill would go a long way toward helping communities … Read More
Eliminating Tests for Students?
The Testing Reduction Advisory Group recently released its recommendations that include streamlining the required number of tests students must take in order to graduate from high school. HF1392, sponsored by Rep. Peggy Bennett (R-Albert Lea), contains similar goals, but it takes the added step of eliminating the requirement that students must take the ACT in order to graduate. Instead, its … Read More
Teacher Layoffs Debate Hits Senate
The Senate Education Committee heard two days of testimony this week on bills to streamline the teacher licensing process and require districts to use teacher performance, not seniority, as the primary factor in staffing decisions. The bills overhaul how the state licenses teachers and how school leaders make staffing decisions such as teacher layoffs. Districts typically use a “last in, … Read More
Dropout Prevention Forum Coming to MN in April
The 2015 National Forum on Dropout Prevention for Native and Tribal Communities will feature more than 50 presentations emphasizing strategies that work with native students who are at risk of dropping out of school before high school graduation. The forum, “Building Engaging Educational Communities for Native Students,” will be held April 26-29 in Prior Lake. Dr. Sandra J. Fox, who received … Read More
New MREA Board Officers Elected
The MREA Board of Directors met for its regular meeting March 3 and elected new officers for 2015. Officers elected by the Board for 1-year terms are: Dr. Christopher Mills, Board President, Stephen Jeremy Kovash, President-Elect, Fergus Falls Darren Glynn, Secretary-Treasurer, Perham Mike Vasek, Past-President, Fischer Luther Heller, Montevideo, will serve with the officers on the MREA Executive Committee. “I … Read More
MREA Presents Facility Fallout Solution
MREA is gaining support for a facility fallout solution that would address the deferred maintenance funding inequities in Minnesota. The inequities between the Alternative Facility school districts (large metro primarily) and all others is well documented. Legislators of all stripes have at the tip of their tongue the $2.79 per square foot versus $0.58 per square foot differential in spending power … Read More
MREA Testifies on Loan Forgiveness Program
MREA testified this week in support of establishing a loan forgiveness program for newly licensed teachers in identified teacher shortage areas. The program would be available for up to five years. The House Education Innovation Policy Committee on Tuesday heard HF1170 sponsored by Rep. Peggy Bennett (R-Albert Lea). SF759 is the companion bill sponsored by Sen. Vicki Jensen (DFL-Albert Lea). It appropriates … Read More