MREA has long supported greater state responsibility for covering the cost of educating Minnesota’s youth. The state of Minnesota has had a long tradition of equitably financing public education, but in the last decade that proud tradition has eroded, largely due to the state’s elimination of the of the general education levy in 2001. Economic downturns and competition for support for public health … Read More
Cut Score Issues Visited Sept. 27
This week, the Minnesota Board of Teaching Standards and Rules Committee plans to assess cut scores as some share dissatisfaction and challenges with the process, according to Allen Hoffman, MREA’s representative on this BOT advisory committee. Certain tests, namely World Language Content and the Basic Skills Math, have been identified as potential areas of concern. The Basic Skills Math test … Read More
Inside the Bullying Recommendations
MREA strongly agrees that schools should provide a safe and welcoming environment that is conducive for learning for each student. MREA reviewed the report from the Governor’s Bullying Prevention Task Force and identifies these key issues to be considered: Retraining of veteran staff. Should all teachers facing re-licensure be required to earn a certificate or licensure tag indicating they have completed a … Read More
Nominate for Distinguished Service Award
The MREA Board of Directors is seeking nominations for the Distinguished Service Award to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to rural education. MREA will honor award recipients at the MREA Annual Conference Banquet on Nov. 12. The MREA Board established the Distinguished Service Award in 2003 and seeks to recognize individuals who have demonstrated contributions in one or … Read More
MREA Board Seeks Nominations
MREA is accepting nominations for five seats on the MREA Board of Directors. You may apply yourself or nominate someone else for these openings. To apply or be nominated, a candidate must represent a full membership district of MREA, must come from a zone in which the vacancy exists, and must agree to attend meetings. Nomination forms need to be received no … Read More
School Innovation Award Nominations
What are you doing that’s innovative? Submit your work and you could be honored in January with an award and even $25,000. The Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota is partnering with Association of MN Counties (AMC), the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC), the MN School Boards Association (MSBA), and InCommons to recognize creative ways counties, cities, and … Read More
Search for Minnesota's Top Youth Volunteers
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program announced today the launch of its search for Minnesota’s top youth volunteers of 2013. Students in grades 5-12 are invited to apply for Prudential Spirit of Community Awards if they have made meaningful contributions to their communities through volunteer service within the past 12 months. Young volunteers can apply online at http://spirit.prudential.com or at … Read More
Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act Effective This Year
HHFKA (Healthy Hunger-free Kids Act) was adopted by Congress in December 2010 and takes effect with this school year. MREA dug into the new federal act to give you an inside look at the details and how to implement it. Read about the politics of the law. Details of the Law The meal patterns are federally mandated. States have no … Read More
Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act: Politics of the Law
HHFKA (Healthy Hunger-free Kids Act) was adopted by Congress in December 2010 and takes effect with this school year. The advocates for the law include Deb Lukkonen, director of Minnesota School Food Service. She recently wrote: “One in three kids in the US is overweight or obese, and the number is growing! If we want our kids to live as long … Read More
MREA Remembers Dennis Rettke
MREA paid tribute this week to Dennis Rettke, a longtime rural school advocate and former MREA executive director. Dennis grew up in Greater Minnesota, where he was known as stand-out athlete and student leader at his high school. He went on to serve Greater Minnesota as a teacher, principal and superintendent before becoming MREA’s executive director in 2001. He served … Read More