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IN THIS EDITION |
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ACTION ITEMS |
Superintendents and charter school directors are invited to participate in the monthly audio conference call hosted by Commissioner Brenda Cassellius. The next call is scheduled for Wednesday, March 16, 9:30-10:30 a.m. A notice providing dial-in instructions will be sent to you on Monday. Comments to offer and/or questions you would like to ask are encouraged.
Conference Call Schedule: April 20, May 18, June 15. All calls are from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
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When proficiency is calculated for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and the Multiple Measurements Rating (MMR), only 1 percent of the total number of student records contributing index points may come from students taking the MTAS. This limit is sometimes called the “one-percent cap.” When the percentage of district students being tested on the MTAS significantly exceeds 1 percent for a valid reason, the superintendent can submit a request to make an adjustment to the cap for the number of MTAS scores that can be included in the AYP and MMR calculations.
The window for districts to submit alternate assessment waivers through Test WES is from Tuesday, March 1, 2016, at 7 a.m., to Wednesday, March 30, 2016, at 4 p.m. Additional information and instructions for submitting a waiver are available on the Federal Accountability page of the MDE website and under the Help link in Test WES. View the Federal Accountability page on the MDE website (MDE > School Support > Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Flexibility Waiver > Federal Accountability). If you have questions about the Alternate Assessment Waiver, please contact Eric Kloos at Eric.Kloos@state.mn.us or Michael Diedrich at Michael.Diedrich@state.mn.us.
Requests for a waiver can be entered by district staff in consultation with the director of special education, but must be formally authorized by the superintendent. Many superintendents already have a user ID and password for Test WES. View the Data Submissions page for information on accessing MDE systems (MDE > School Support > Data Submissions).
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The Minnesota Legislature has appropriated $4.5 million dollars to provide financial incentives to schools for student exam subsidies and teacher training for the Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs. Read March 10 memorandum from Paula Palmer.
Advanced Placement Student Exam Reimbursement Policies and Procedures 2016
Exam subsidies are available for public and non-public school students. The state will reimburse $53 per exam for category one (fee-reduced, low-income) students and $40 per exam for exams taken by category two (non-fee-reduced) students. To qualify for exam fee reimbursement for your students, each school must complete and submit the Advanced Placement 2016 Program Application to the department by April 20, 2016.
Advanced Placement Teacher Training Scholarship Process 2016
Minnesota scholarships are available for public and non-public teachers who are teaching or plan to teach an AP course in 2016-17. The school or district will be responsible for the initial cost of the training. Approved scholarships are paid directly to the school or district.
Questions about Advanced Placement program policy and development:
Angie Johnson, supervisor, High School to Postsecondary Initiatives, 651-582-8478, angie.johnson@state.mn.us.
Questions about Advanced Placement program application, reimbursement processes, payments, scholarship forms, and administration issues:
Jacqui McKenzie, Dual Credit program administrator, 651-582-8852, jacqui.mckenzie@state.mn.us.
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GRANT OPPORTUNITY |
The Minnesota Department of Education, through an anticipated federal 2016 award, CFDA 94.196, Education for Homeless Children and Youth, has set aside an estimated $690,000 for this grant opportunity. Minnesota school districts and charter schools or a consortium of schools that have 150 or more children and youth who are homeless students in each of the school years 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 are eligible to apply. Funds will address the challenging educational needs of students who are homeless by removing barriers to their enrollment, attendance and providing supplemental services towards their achievement in school.
Grant awards will be based on a formula using a range determined by the number of homeless students but maximum awards are $100,000. The term of the grant will be from July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017, with an opportunity for a continuation award contingent upon future funding and progress.
Questions related to the grant opportunity are due March 21, 2016, 3:30 p.m., Central Daylight Time, through email to Roberto Reyes at Roberto.Reyes@state.mn.us. The grant documents and full announcement can be accessed at the grant opportunity site.
Applications must be received by (not postmarked by) April 27, 2016, 3:30 p.m., Central Daylight Time.
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