Children and Families Top Governor Dayton’s Budget Priorities
After a decade of deficits, state leaders are now facing a $1 billion budget surplus created by Minnesota’s strong and growing economy. Governor Mark Dayton proposed a two-year budget that would make bold new investments in children, families and education. “Minnesota’s future success – the health of our families, the vitality of our communities, and the prosperity of our state – will depend upon our making excellent educations available to all Minnesotans,” said Governor Dayton. "Every single child matters in this budget-–no matter their race, zip code or economic circumstance...” added Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius.
Read more on Govenor's Blog.
Summer and At-Risk Food Programs for Kids – Webinar
Public libraries can help make sure kids have access to nutritious food when school is not in session by participating in summer and/or afterschool food programs. Begin to plan your library’s summer 2015 participation by attending an informational webinar on February 4, 2015 at 11 a.m. Jenny Butcher, USDA Summer Food Service Program Coordinator at the Minnesota Department of Education, will present. Register online. Questions? Contact Jennifer Verbrugge at jennifer.verbrugge@state.mn.us
Legislative Reports
Each year, the Minnesota Department of Education is required to report to the Minnesota Legislature on a variety of topics and findings. Recent reports include:
A Report on K-12 Students' Experience with Physical Education in Minnesota Schools - Findings from a survey conducted to gather information about implementation of physical education and physical activity opportunities provided in Minnesota’s public schools.
Teacher Supply and Demand Report - Data and analysis about the past and future staffing needs for teachers in relation to student demographic trends and other factors that impact the educator workforce.
Visit our Legislative Reports web page to view these reports and more.
54 Million
Number of books checked out from Minnesota Libraries last year!
3,170,267
Number of library cards held in Minnesota.
The only time a month begins and ends on the same day of the week is February in a leap year.
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Dayton's Budget Priority is Boosting Early Ed
Minnesotans have always had big hearts for little children and learning. On Tuesday, Gov. Mark Dayton advanced a $42 billion, 2016-17 biennial budget that invites a politically divided Legislature to put more state money where those hearts are. Read full Star Tribune editorial.
Dayton Proposes Budget
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton’s two-year budget plan would pump more than a half billion dollars into education, increase the number of food inspectors by 26, add facilities at some parks, fund better supervision of child abuse programs, improve railroad crossings and provide hundreds of other changes. Read more at West Central Tribune.
Dual Credit Programs are Pushing Low Performing Students to Complete High School — and College
A year ago, 18-year-old Rojelio Castillo thought he’d be lucky to get a GED. Today, thanks to a novel collaboration by six St. Paul schools, Castillo is not only on track for a diploma, he has several college classes under his belt. Read full MinnPost story.
Momentum Builds to Help Tribal School in Minnesota
Minnesotans shouldn’t idly stand by as American Indian schoolchildren attend class in a cold, unsafe, broken-down pole barn. Read Star Tribune editorial.
ACGC Students Bring New Artwork to MDE!
This week, Commissioner Cassellius welcomed art from ACGC (Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City) Junior-Senior High School students, which now hang on the walls of the Conference Center at MDE. Read Jan. 21 BloggED.
Focused on the Equations that Lead to Academic Excellence
Onamia Pubic Schools is working on research-based strategies that start with a Healthy Culture, multiplied by Deliberate Practice, times Daily Reading and the result is Academic Excellence to the third! To learn more about the professional development, changing culture, student success and achievement taking place, we asked Principal JJ Vold to tell the story. Read Jan. 20 Guest BloggED.
Executive Functioning and Student Achievement Workshop - Feb 27
Students who struggle with Executive Functioning (EF) may have difficulty with organizational skills, planning, time management and execution. Participants will learn about the neuroscience of EF and practical tools to help young thinkers strengthen their EF muscles . Special emphasis on the development of EF skills in gifted and twice exceptional students. $85.00 registration fee includes morning refreshments, lunch and a copy of the book, Executive Skills in Children and Adolescents. Register for workshop online.
Academic Enrichment Summit - April 10
One-day summit highlights the importance of academic enrichment programs to engage and support youth development. Speakers will address formal and non-formal enrichment, research and results, as well as the importance of parent involvement. The summit will include an enrichment fair featuring interactive presentations from a variety of academic programs offered throughout Minnesota.Minnesota Department of Education, CC 15 & 16. Register for summit online.
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