Minnesota Flexibility Request Approved!
 Minnesota's request for renewal of flexibility under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was approved for the next four years! The federal ESEA review noted that with the renewal, Minnesota will be able to continue implementing its plans to promote innovative, locally tailored strategies that improve educational outcomes for all students, close achievement gaps, increase equity and improve the quality of instruction.
View approval letter. Read News Release.
High Fives for Head Start!
Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius visited the Head Start program she attended as a child --the Glendale Early Childhood Family Development Center. She was joined by Head Start Mpls. Executive Director Alyce Dillon and Director Rico Alexander. Head Start promotes school readiness for low-income children by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development, and by providing their families with health, educational, nutritional and other services.
Read news release.
Investing in Minnesota Children
Last week, Governor Dayton released details of his supplemental budget proposal, which called for nearly 80 percent of the surplus to be invested in Minnesota children, families, and students, including significant investments in education. On Friday, Governor Dayton and Education Commissioner Cassellius visited a preschool class at Newport Elementary School to highlight his proposal to fund free, full-day preschool learning opportunities for every four-year-old in the state.
Read more on the Governor's Blog.
ACT Testing May Impact Student Meal Service
In order to meet the requirements for successful ACT testing, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) will allow flexible meal service times when the ACT Test is administered to 11th-grade students on April 28, 2015, and again on the test make-up day, May 12, 2015. Schools may offer breakfast or lunch outside of regular serving times on those two testing days. It is very important for school officials to use the flexibility option in order to ensure that students have access to nutritious meals and are well prepared for testing. Visit the MDE website for additional information.
Summer Food Service Sponsors Needed
Organizations are needed to sponsor the 2015 Summer Food Service Progam (SFSP) and provide free meals to Minnesota children (18 and younger) during the summer when school is out. There are many underserved areas in need of a sponsor to operate a summer feeding site, especially in greater Minnesota. Sponsors receive training, technical assistance and reimbursement for providing meals.
Read news release.
47,300 - number of Minnesota 4-year-old children expected to be impacted in the first year if free, full-day Pre-K is offered per Governor Dayton's proposal.
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From Head Start to State Commissioner: Early Ed Mattered Then, and Does Now
When Gov. Mark Dayton started constructing his 2015 budget, he asked for my thoughts, and as always, I started by drawing on my own experience. Read OpEd by Commissioner Cassellius in Star Tribune.
In its First Year, Full-day Kindergarten a Big Hit
In the first year that Minnesota offered free all-day kindergarten statewide, 57,714 students enrolled. Visit MPRnews for more.
Dayton’s Universal Pre-K Plan is Beneficial
After watching some 4- and 5-year-olds at Newport Elementary School successfully search their preschool classroom for the letter “S,” Gov. Mark Dayton emphasized just how important it is for children to have access to a quality preschool. Read full story in the Minnesota Daily.
Teacher of the Year List Whittled to 10 Finalists
Education Minnesota, the statewide teachers union, came one step closer Monday to naming the Minnesota Teacher of the Year with the release of the names of the top 10 finalists. Read more in Star Tribune.
Talking Education with Commissioner Cassellius
Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius was in Rochester talking with the community about the state of education in Minnesota. The meeting was the third in a string of listening sessions that Cassellius is holding throughout the state. Previously, she stopped in Moorhead and Mankato. The sessions are part of the education commissioner’s ongoing effort to engage with people on proposed investments in education. Read March 16 bloggED
Making Meaning of Multiple Measures
The Minnesota Department of Education is offering one-day regional workshops on how to use student data in district improvement planning or other academic improvement initiatives. The workshops will be held April 16, 17, 22 and 30 in four locations around the state: Alexandria, Grand Rapids, Mankato and Roseville.
Participants may bring their own district’s attendance and Minnesota Student Survey (MSS) data to better understand issues that may be impacting student achievement. Gain concrete tools for implementing an improvement process that incorporates school climate data into academic goal setting. Questions? Contact Heather Hirsch, 651-582-8628. Register online.
STEM Forum and Expo, May 20-23!
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is hosting their national STEM forum in Minnesota in May. This unique, STEM-focused event is where informal and formal educators gather to share tools and resources that contribute to successful implementation of STEM education into schools and communities. What makes this so different from any other event of its kind? The people presenting! One of whom is our own Doug Paulson, agency STEM Specialist. Hash tag: @NSTA #STEMforum. Visit NSTA site to learn more. Register online.
Gifted & Talented Symposium: June 8-11
Attention educators, counselors, administrators and parents. Don't miss this opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the unique needs of gifted and high potential learners. Visit MDE site to learn more.
The finest regional, national and internationally recognized experts in the field will be presenting. Participants will enjoy a range of in-depth sessions focusing on foundational knowledge, creativity, curriculum strategies, and methods for meeting the social/emotional needs of gifted and high-potential learners. Online registration only. Deadline: 5 p.m., May 25.
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