Dayton’s Early Learning Council expresses reservations about his pre-K plan
The panel has asked the governor and lawmakers to direct $196 million over the next two years to an existing, underfunded early scholarship system.
Beth Hawkins
Beth Hawkins covered education and other public-policy topics for MinnPost from its launch in 2007 to October of 2015, when she left to write for Education Post, a nonprofit based in Chicago.
On school funding, education advocates ask: What will Bakk do?
With three wildly divergent education proposals on the table at the Capitol, the question of the moment seem to revolve around the Senate Majority Leader’s plans.
Some free advice for Minneapolis Public Schools’ next communications team
Whoever leads MPS’ communications efforts, the district’s brass should mandate they maintain an open-door policy, even when it gets scary. Especially when it gets scary.
Lawyer raises pressure on Board of Teaching to comply with state law
Rhyddid Watkins is slated to amend a suit he filed April 2 on behalf of four frustrated teachers who want to teach in Minnesota — adding plaintiffs that include schools wanting to hire.
Student testing: Where political theater meets commercial reality
For all the headlines standardized testing has generated in recent months, a couple of pretty big, basic realities have received virtually no attention.
Equity-impact policy not fully embraced: Illustrations surface in MPS board meeting
Forms are often filled out, but carrying out the intent of the assessment — to ask at critical junctures, will this advance or diminish equity? — is another story.
How Javier Morillo, a former academic, became the most talked-about political operative in the Twin Cities
“There is no one in public life who wants to take him on,” says one longtime DFL insider of Morillo, a local union leader who describes himself as a “thug in pastels.”
What’s the deal with Valeria Silva’s back-to-back headlines?
Silva could be rallying support, said board candidate Al Oertwig. That and sending a signal that she has options if community leaders don’t have her back.
School districts foresee yet another fiscal cliff, despite Dayton’s ed plan
“What’s being advertised by the governor and the Legislature is a $1 billion increase,” says Anoka-Hennepin Board Chair Tom Heidemann. “But the reality is there is no new money.”
MPS works on ‘fresh-starting’ Harrison Center, subject of federal complaint
New Principal Monica Fabre has been making changes and planning for a top-to-bottom redesign. Even critics are taking note, but say a broad MPS culture change is needed.
Early-ed advocates look at Dayton’s preschool plan and wonder: Why?
It was all so simple back when there was no money. Funny how $2 billion can come between even the closest of allies.
Talking tests & teaching: What’s new in helping students and teachers progress?
Exploring cutting-edge thinking about testing students, and considering new research on how to help teachers hone their skills.
The education proposals you haven’t heard about this session
In a year where education headlines have focused on a couple of big bombshell provisions, there’s a lot of potential policy that has received remarkably little ink.
Test anxiety: Is it the kids or the teachers who are driving opt-outs?
In Minneapolis, at least, it appears not to be the kids who are outraged over the MCAs.
Soon-to-open Flex Academy, with ties to for-profit K12, excites some, raises eyebrows in others
The model — local teachers, aides and administrators working closely with a company that provides “turnkey” management and academic services — is new to the Twin Cities.
Dayton’s testing idea has ed world wondering: Why?
The governor’s proposed reduction goes further than recommendations issued by a Department of Education task force — and further than his commissioner has gone.
With grit and girded by College Possible, young immigrant makes his way
When he is done with college Walid Abubakar would like to go back to Ethiopia to help. But he’d like to make something of himself here first.
Legislators want Minnesota’s education programs to publicly disclose how well they’re preparing future teachers
A bill under consideration at the state Legislature would require teacher training programs in Minnesota to release information on graduation and licensure rates.
Robbinsdale’s amazing bus app is a life-changer
This is going to do more to help working families deal with school than anything in recent memory.
Minneapolis school officials respond to controversy over slavery game
MPS acknowledged that the computer game is the subject of a national debate, and said the Social Studies Department would review its appropriateness.
