A seasonal reminder: Winter break doesn’t equate to celebration and relaxation for all students
Often it means entering a two-week period of instability in housing, in meals, in daily routine — the very things that youth need to feel secure.
Education
U of M president finalist Joan Gabel on higher ed’s role, tuition, diversity, vision for the U
Asked about her leadership style, Gabel talked about surrounding herself with “really smart people who balance each other well, balance you well, care about the institution,” and then letting them do their job.
What education insiders are hoping for in Minnesota’s next ed commissioner
The commissioner needs to bring a renewed sense of urgency, experts agree. “We’ve got huge educational gaps, opportunity gaps,” said St. Paul Public Schools Supt. Joe Gothard. “We need some drastic catalyst for change right now.”
Thinking about switching career paths to become a teacher? It’s daunting, but might be getting easier
State lawmakers recently paved the way for five initial alternative teacher preparation programs to take root in Minnesota.
How one school district is looking to reconfigure mental health services for Minnesota’s most at-risk youth
The Therapeutic Teaching Model that Intermediate District 287 has piloted in three elementary classrooms at its North Education Center is supported by nearly $2 million in one-time grant funding that the district and its partner, the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, received from the state.
Farm-to-school programs have been good for Minnesota farmers and students alike. Is it time for the Minnesota Legislature to cough up some lunch money?
Advocates want a state-level position supporting districts’ efforts to use local food in the cafeteria, as well as more funding for equipment.
The U wants to bring the kiwi berry (whatever that is) to a grocery store near you (though not for a long time)
After decades of working with backyard growers and amassing a collection of plant material, the University of Minnesota is investigating the possibility of producing kiwi berries at a commercial level in Minnesota.
School bond referendum requests fare better in 2018, but rural-urban divide persists
Low-property-wealth rural districts — knowing that their taxpayers have to shoulder a higher proportion of any referendum ask — are being forced to triage their bonding asks.
Two newcomers win at-large Minneapolis school board seats; Twin Cities referendums pass
Kimberly Caprini and Josh Pauly win the two at-large school board seats in Minneapolis.
Minnesota educators continue to grapple with one of the most critical — and politicized — education issues: reading instruction
Reading instruction has a lot of political baggage. Nearly four decades ago, the so-called “reading war” had taken center stage, overshadowing the science behind learning how to read.
Candidates make final pitches for two citywide Minneapolis school board seats
Minneapolis voters will also be asked to consider an $18 million increase to the existing operating levy and to establish a $12 million tech levy to support technology upgrades and maintenance expenses.
MN Reconnect: New adult learner program at 4 Minnesota State campuses aims to help those with prior credits cross the finish line
“But our goal is, really, to get all colleges in Minnesota on this pathway towards serving adult learners better, especially former students,” said Meredith Fergus, head of the MN Reconnect program.
New data show some colleges are definitively unaffordable for many
Even as net prices begin to fall at some schools, many families are priced out.
Montana vote becomes a national referendum on public confidence in higher ed
A one-of-a-kind ballot question could be a bellwether of sentiment toward academia.
Facebook enhances English language literacy among refugee students, U of M study finds
Recognizing the appeal of social media among adolescents, three instructors specializing in second language acquisition investigated how it might be best leveraged to support English literacy development in the classroom.
How immigration is changing high school sports in Greater Minnesota
As demographic changes transform the student makeup of many classrooms around the state, they have also impacted the state’s high school sports scene.
How can teachers create more inclusive, welcoming classrooms? It starts by saying students’ names correctly.
As classrooms across the state continue to become more diverse, so do the names on teachers’ student rosters.
The ‘full-service community schools’ model is getting high-profile political support in Minnesota. So what is it?
By reducing barriers for students and their families — addressing basic needs like stable housing, job training and mental and physical health care — such schools aim to better equip at-risk students to succeed.
Long Prairie’s growing immigrant population helps keep local schools vital
“We have had an influx of new families that have managed to come to Long Prairie, and they have their kids in our schools, which is absolutely great,” said Mayor Don Rasmussen.
Minnesota’s new school accountability system: How is it different — and how is it being received?
As those affected make sense of the new system, here’s a look at how it’s being received, particularly by schools not used to being called out by the state for underserving a particular portion of its student population.