January 29 issue of Learning Matters

Minnesota Department of Education

LEARNING MATTERS

January 29, 2016

Agency News

How Do We Assess and Improve School Climate? 

David Esquith addressing the January 22 Bullying Prevention Conference

 

“Schools are safer than they’ve ever been, but there is still a lot of work to do.” That was one of the key messages David Esquith, director of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Healthy Students, shared with the nearly 400 people attending the Minnesota Safe and Supportive Schools Conference: Addressing Bullying in Schools. Read BloggED for full conference summary

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Educating Future Decision-Makers

Minnesota's social studies teachers are invited to register for the annual Minnesota Council for the Social Studies (MCSS) conference, March 6-7 in St. Cloud. Attendees can choose from 30 fantastic sessions, focusing on various disciplines and grade levels. The registration fee includes breakfast, lunch and CEU certificate. Visit the MCSS website for more information or contact Jessica Ellison.


Summer Teacher Institutes

The Library of Congress is accepting applications for its week-long summer programs for K-12 educators, now through February 29. Held at the Library, the professional development provides educators with tools and resources to effectively integrate primary sources into classroom teaching with a strong emphasis on student engagement, critical thinking, and construction of knowledge. Register online.


Literacy in Disabilities Camp

Summer camp and professional development opportunity. This weeklong Level I course, offered under the direction of Drs. David Koppenhaver and Karen Erickson, will focus on strategies to support educational outcomes for students who are struggling readers. Participants will learn how to assess and support literacy for individuals with a range of disabilities. Lesson plans, resources and report writing support, including a report template, will be provided. For more information and application.

By the Numbers

We're Number One!

Minnesota led the 50 states on Gallup's Job Creation Index with an average score in 2015 of +38, based on workers' reports of hiring activity at their place of employment. Visit Governor's Newsroom web page. Read Gallup poll.

Education in the News

Raising Awareness About School Choice

National School Choice Week began January 25 in Minnesota and across the country. There are 289 events planned in the North Star State to raise awareness about K-12 school choice, and 16,140 events nationwide. Read full story in BusinessWire.


Waseca's Jeanne Swanson Named Principal of the Year

Jeanne Swanson was chosen for the honor by the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals during a Wednesday banquet at the professional educational association's annual conference. Read Mankato Free Press feature.


Students Acquire Taste for Healthy Snacks

Kindergarteners in Austin are branching out when it comes to snack time — trying healthy foods such as jicama and hummus. Read more at the Rochester Post Bulletin.


Refinancing Federal Student Loans

Senator Al Franken introduced legislation in Congress that would allow the refinancing of student loans. The proposal comes just one week after the state of Minnesota announced its own student loan refinancing program... Visit WCCO to read full story.


Department of Education Names E3 a Promising Program

Project E3, a joint program serving students in Austin, Albert Lea, Hayfield, Lyle, and Southland was recognized by the Minnesota Department of Education as a Promising Integration Program. Project E3 is a conservation focused Science Technology Engineering Mathematics, or STEM, enrichment program... Read more in Austin Daily Herald.

Recent BloggED posts

Helping Students Gain Career Skills and Workforce Experience

Students learn to work in a team environment


Tucked into a campus near the Cannon River in Faribault, the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library offers library services to residents from across the state. Each year, it mails more than 300,000 audio, large print and braille books to more than 10,000 patrons. And during the school year, up to 15 students from Faribault and the surrounding area visit the library, not to check out books, but to gain job experience. Read Jan. 7 guest post.