The House Education Policy Committee on Tuesday offered proposals to create and expand tax credits for education-related expenditures that are aimed at improving K-12 outcomes for students. Most received approval nods. Rep. Dean Urdahl (R-Grove City) hopes to provide a financial incentive for teachers to pursue their master’s degree in the content area in which they teach. He sponsors HF245, which would … Read More
MDE Requests Comments on Desegregation/Integration Rules
The Minnesota Department of Education is requesting comments on its Proposed Permanent Rules Relating to School Desegregation and Integration. A new rule has been posted, and MDE will accept comments on the proposed rule until April 10. In the proposed rules, the 20% threshold for protected student percentages is the same as in the previous rule, but students who are American Indian … Read More
Teacher Shortages and State Exam Under Spotlight
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) recently released its 2015 Teacher Supply and Demand Report. Two of its conclusions are not at all surprising to rural Minnesota school officials: Mounting Shortages: The percentage of districts indicating that it is difficult or impossible to hire qualified teachers in shortage areas is about double that seen in the 2012 survey. Testing Barrier: … Read More
Bill Introduced to Continue Home Visit Program
House Education Finance Chair Jenifer Loon (R-Eden Prairie) last week introduced a bill to continue to award grants to evidence-based early literacy parent-child home visiting program. The House Education Finance is reviewing the legislation for possible inclusion in the Omnibus Bill. Parent-child home programs are designed to have instructors (called home visitors) visit families with young children (target age range of … Read More
School Readiness Bill Brought to House Committee
The Minnesota House Education Finance Committee reviewed legislation last week that would increase school readiness aid from $12 million a year to $25 million beginning in fiscal year 2016. Rep. Laurie Halverson (DFL-Eagan) introduced the bill, HF226, for possible inclusion in the Education Omnibus Bill. The bill provides funding to districts for eligible pre-kindergarten students to improve early education and ensure students … Read More
Reading Corp Bills Introduced
Legislators have brought forward legislation that would infuse additional funding into the Minnesota Reading Corps program. The bills were among the legislation reviewed last Tuesday by the House Education Finance Committee for possible inclusion in Chair Jenifer Loon’s future education omnibus bill. The other bills are related to school readiness and home visiting for parent education. Rep. Anna Wills (R-Apple … Read More
Salute to Administrators of Excellence
MREA thanks and salutes its member superintendents who were recently selected as Administrators of Excellence by the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA). These professionals are being recognized for their leadership, concern for students, and active involvement in educational and community affairs: Joseph Brown, Sr., Superintendent, Fairmont Area Schools David Fjeldheim, Superintendent, Sebeka Schools James Guetter, Superintendent, Red Lake County Central and Red Lake Falls Schools … Read More
DEED Awards Broadband Grants
MREA commends the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and all those in rural Minnesota who worked to secure state grants totaling $19.4 million from the Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program. DEED recently awarded the funding from the program, which Gov. Mark Dayton signed into law in May of 2014. The grants will help 17 entities in Minnesota develop … Read More
New Bills Introduce Rural STEM Project
MREA commends Senator Tom Saxhaug (District 05) and Representative Jeff Backer (District 12A) for introducing legislation to provide funding for the Rural STEM Experiential Learning Pilot Project: “Put 21st Century Tools in Kids’ Hands!” (SF 471/HF 555). The bills provide for one-time funding to start two consortiums of school districts in West Central Minnesota and North East/East Central Minnesota. The consortiums will develop and … Read More
School Calendar Flexibility Heats Up at Capitol
The House Education Innovation Committee heard last week from many communities seeking flexibility from state requirements on local school calendars. Many districts are seeking waivers this coming year and longer from the requirement to start school after Labor Day. Several districts also requested the ability to maintain their current four-day school weeks. Many school boards have adopted local resolutions asking the state … Read More