Humphrey School training first cohort of charter-oversight pros
Aaliyah Hodge is one of three fellows in a program recently launched by the school for students pursuing a master’s in public policy. It is the first of its kind.
Learning Curve
Beth Hawkins writes about education in Learning Curve. Hawkins has covered a variety of subjects for MinnPost since its launch in 2007, but has a particular passion for reporting on education. In addition to her conviction that education is one of today’s most pressing issues on a policy level, she’s motivated by her experience advocating for her two sons in great schools and not-so-great ones.
MinnPost's education reporting is made possible by a grant from the Bush Foundation.
Cristo Rey’s first college grads celebrate — and reflect on how they did it
Their advice for those hoping to follow in their shoes: Find a college that provides support — financial and otherwise — for first-generation college-goers and lean on it.
What exactly is R.T. Rybak up to?
In his current role, the former Minneapolis mayor is head of Generation Next, a 2½-year-old effort that, until now, has been frustratingly hard to describe.
No drama, little fanfare as MPS and teachers begin talks
The next two-year deal just might be struck in 12 weeks, vs. a year. A review of both starting wish lists suggests the next agreement is likely to simply build on the current one.
The new Mill City High will be unlike any other school in Minneapolis
Mill City will offer a novel, four-pronged approach with Global Classical Studies as a lynchpin. Up to 150 ninth-, 10th-, and 11th-graders are expected this year.
Dropping portfolio approach to licensing teachers violated state law, suit argues
The lawsuit is one of several ongoing efforts to force the Board of Teaching to license teachers trained outside traditional Minnesota programs.
Why there were dueling interpretations of pre-K language and charters
A 2014 appeals-court opinion cited a 2009 clarification of the statute that requires charters to be specifically included if a provision is to pertain to them.
UChicago schools’ strategies are getting traction in Minneapolis and elsewhere
The school’s approaches were chronicled in the 2014 book “Restoring Opportunity,” an examination of three programs that have proven transformational over time and on a large scale.
The other 196 pages of the vetoed education bill: How mixed is this bag?
Education advocates consider: When lawmakers and the governor have cooled off enough to again inhabit the same space, what should they lobby for?
Despite Dayton’s angry rhetoric, advocates see a potential roadmap out of the early-ed impasse
Art Rolnick said he was encouraged to hear that Dayton was willing to be flexible about the way early-childhood services are delivered: “We need a governor with that kind of leadership.”
Hard work, coaching and compelling essays lead to Gates support and U of M
Walid Abubakar and his sister moved here 11 years ago from a refugee camp in Ethiopia.
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.
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.
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.
