Budget Dynamics “Under the Capitol Dome”

mreaadminCapitol Insider Blog, Opportunity Gap

Gov. Dayton’s revenue plan has come under much scrutiny since being unveiled, particularly by the business community. The “business to business” sales tax expansion is causing the most heartburn among the business community. Several House DFLers have expressed opposition to that portion of the plan. If that portion of his plan falls by the way side the question is what … Read More

House Addresses Payment Shift Tuesday

mreaadminCapitol Insider Blog, Opportunity Gap

The  House Education Finance committee on Tuesday morning will review legislation related to the school payment shift.  HF 1 would mandate the school payment schedule to 90/10 by the start of the next fiscal year which begins July 1, 2013.  The current payment schedule is 82.5/17.5, therefore at a cost of $70 million/point HF 1 costs about $525 million. The … Read More

Education Policy Reforms Emerge at Capitol

mreaadminAssessment and Accountability, Capitol Insider Blog, Quality Teachers

Two education policy reforms are emerging at the State Capitol. A new bill was introduced to repeal a law made last session related to Minnesota Teacher Licensure Exams (MTLE) and the Senate Education Policy Committee on Tuesday will address  recommendations from the Assessment and Accountability Working Group. Minnesota Teacher Licensure Exams The House Education Policy committee reviewed recent changes made … Read More

Recommendations on Integration Aid Reform Presented

mreaadminCapitol Insider Blog

Reforming the state’s Integration Aid program is proving to be one of the most vexing issues within the education finance world. The last omnibus E-12 budget bill (July 2011) called for the sunset of the $92 million in revenue associated with this program and for a task force to take up the cause of redesigning and repurposing these funds. Last … Read More

Inside the Governor's State of the State

mreaadminCapitol Insider Blog, Opportunity Gap

Last Wednesday, Governor Dayton delivered his state of the state address to the legislature. His budget proposal and priorities encompassed the 45-minute speech. Here are some key topics he addressed: Tax Cuts: He criticized the tax cuts of the late 1990’s as they didn’t grow the jobs promised and instead saddled the state with large deficits. He said real solutions … Read More

Minnesota eLearning Summit Seeks Proposals

mreaadminOther Rural Issues

Organizers of the Minnesota eLearning Summit in July are requesting proposals for Summit sessions and hands on workshops. Share your best practices and ideas regarding blended learning, flipped classrooms, digital resources, technology applications, analytics and structures. Proposals are due by March 14. Registration for the Summit began Feb. 8. Announcing Summit 2013 Keynote Speakers Join K12, higher education faculty and administrators along with other learners … Read More

Legislative Study of Student Transportation Released

mreaadminOther Rural Issues

The State this week released the results of a study on student transportation. The study provides recommendations on making changes to student transportation for efficiencies through collaboration, use of public transit, in contracts and overall transportation management. General findings were also discovered related to making transportation changes. Recent state legislation required a study to consider efficiencies that could result from … Read More

Video on Today’s Kindergarten for 21st Century Learners

mreaadminAchievement Gap, Opportunity Gap

It is worth five minutes to see this video of a high quality, rural, full day, everyday kindergarten. This is why MREA supports funding for universal access to early childhood and full day everyday kindergarten. MREA thanks the teachers, administrators and staff of member district Chatfield and Superintendent Ed Harris, for this excellent video and programming for the children of … Read More

Openings for Minnesota American Indian Family Ombudsman positions

mreaadminAchievement Gap

OMBUDSPERSON FOR INDIAN FAMILIES 1450 ENERGY PARK DR, STE 106 ST. PAUL, MN 55108 651-643-2523 M.S. 257.0755 Appointing: Minnesota Indian Affairs Council Compensation: None Vacancies: Three (3) – Members The ombudsperson shall monitor agency compliance with all laws governing child protection and placement, as they impact Indian children through work with the courts, court officials, policy makers, service providers, social … Read More

Session on Drop Out Prevention and Recovery on Feb. 28

mreaadminAchievement Gap

Utilizing the Village: Effective Reengagement and Recovery Programming in Rural Communities February 28, 2013 1:30 pm-3:00 pm EDT Join the U.S. Department of Education and Jobs for the Future for this exciting culminating event, the last in a three-session series on rural dropout prevention and recovery sponsored by the Department. This webinar will feature a CIS Performance Learning Center in … Read More