The Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system (MnSCU) will host a series of webinars this week to gain feedback from school leaders on the framework for “Tested Experience” for the new guidelines on those teaching concurrent enrollments classes to high school students. High school teachers, principals and counselors are encouraged to review and provide feedback during the webinars: Monday, May 23: 1-2:30 pm … Read More
Last Call to Submit Conference Proposals
Educators from all backgrounds are invited to share their strategies and successes in breakout sessions at MREA’s 2016 Annual Conference: Making Teaching Matter. Presentation proposals are due Friday, May 27. MREA is looking for best practices, solutions, and research that can be presented in more than 30 breakout sessions from 50 to 75-minutes each. Presenters will have the opportunity to positively impact more … Read More
TRA Sustainability Elusive in Final Days of Session
The Teacher’s Retirement Association (TRA) is seeking legislative action this session to close a $1.5 billion funding gap created by increased member longevity according to recent pension system experience studies. As of today, a comprehensive fix is proving elusive, and a bill moving forward in the House would essentially punt on a long-term solution. The current proposal of reducing cost … Read More
It’s Cram Time at the Capitol
It is the final week at the Capitol. The Legislature has until midnight on Sunday to finish their work. As always, every major decision is still up in the air. It’s cram time. Here’s a look at where things stand: Transportation & Taxes Despite a flurry of activity, it is doubtful there is a viable path to solving transportation and … Read More
Concurrent Enrollment Tested Experience Drafts Need Feedback
Both MnSCU and the University of Minnesota released for stakeholder comment draft frameworks for “Tested Experience” for the new guidelines on those teaching concurrent enrollments classes to high school students. High school teachers, principals and counselors are encouraged to review and provide feedback on these drafts to MnSCU and the U. MnSCU has scheduled three webinars to collect feedback and set a … Read More
Nominate and Share Best Programs
In Rockford, Marshall, and Perham, great things are happening with STEM, math, and students in transition. Last fall at its Annual Conference, MREA recognized these members’ exemplary programs for their innovation and benefit to students. Now it’s time to tell us about a great program at your school by nominating it for MREA’s Profile of Excellence Award. What are the compelling … Read More
PBS Digital Innovator to Speak at MREA Conference
Kayla Delzer, recently named the North Dakota Lead Digital Innovator by PBS LearningMedia, will be the closing speaker for MREA’s 2016 Annual Conference. A technology champion and teacher in West Fargo, North Dakota, Delzer is in her eighth year of teaching second grade. MREA’s annual conference will focus on the theme, “Making Teaching Matter.” It will be hosted November 13-15 at Cragun’s Resort near Brainerd. … Read More
Who’s an Educator of Excellence in Greater Minnesota?
Great educators do more than lead a classroom. They practice, innovate, and collaborate. MREA announced today the inaugural year of the MREA Educators of Excellence Award program. Four educators will be honored annually to promote excellence in education that achieves the highest outcomes for Greater Minnesota students. Designed to recognize educators from all across Minnesota, the program will honor one educator from each MREA membership … Read More
Voluntary PreK Funding: Calculate Program Impact
Voluntary PreKindergarten Funding is a top priority in education funding for Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton and the Senate. MREA partnered with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to create an Estimator Tool to help school leaders calculate the financial impact on their school district. Districts would need to decide by July 1 whether to apply for funding for the 2016-17 school year … Read More
Minnesota Conferees Names for Supplemental Budget Process
The House and Senate named members to serve on the supplemental budget conference committee. The House named five GOP members to serve on the supplemental budget conference committee while the Senate named four DFLers and one GOP. The House members are: Ways & Means Chair and Conference Committee co-chair, Jim Knoblach (GOP-St. Cloud) Education Finance Chair, Jennifer Loon (GOP-Eden Prairie) … Read More