April 1 issue of Learning Matters

Minnesota Department of Education

LEARNING MATTERS

April 1, 2016

Agency News

Thank you to all 44 of Minnesota's 4- or 5- time Reward Schools!

4 and 5 Time Reward School Designation


Under our state's accountability system, the top 15 percent of schools receive the Reward Schools desingation. It is not an easy accomplishment. What exactly are those schools doing to see such great results year after year? Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius decided to find out by embarking on a statewide tour to visit all 44 schools that have earned the Reward School designation four or five times. It turns out, there is no one answer or strategy. But what they have in common, are administrators, teachers and support staff who are invested in their students and in one another. No one is allowed to fail. If a teacher is struggling, another staff member stands at the ready to help them out. If a student is falling behind, there are a number of intervention services to ensure they can master any concept. There is great energy when you walk into a Reward School, a feeling that something special is happening there.


2016 StateScoop 50 Awards!

MN.IT Services is up for State IT Program of the Year based on their work on Minnesota's Early Childhood Longitudinal Data System (ECLDS). The award recognizes influential state and local IT programs that have delivered cost savings, superior performance results and partnerships between agencies. Voting for the winners in each award category are open now through April 15.

Visit the StateScoop site and show your support with your vote!


Presentations Teach Kids Messages of Tolerance and Anti-Bullying

COUNT ME IN and KIDS AGAINST BULLYING feature life-size, multicultural puppets delivering important messages of tolerance and bullying prevention to schools and organizations.

COUNT ME IN helps children understand that people with disabilities are much like they are. This age-appropriate introduction to disability aware-ness and inclusion is for grades 1 to 4 with a shorter preschool/kindergarten program. KIDS AGAINST BULLYING helps students learn ways to respond if they are being bullied and how to help if they see someone else being bullied. No one ever deserves to be bullied. Visit PACER website to book or for more information or call 952-838-9000.


Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Meetings in April and May 2016

With the passing of ESSA in December 2015, the department will host meetings on 10 different topic areas to share the ESSA law as well as to gain input and better understand stakeholder priorities. The purpose of the meetings is to share and clarify the ESSA law and to collect important stakeholder feedback that will inform future workgroups. These initial meetings are not intended to produce final recommendations for implementation. However, the input gathered from these meetings will have a significant impact on shaping Minnesota's new system. Visit the department ESSA web page for full meeting schedule. Or contact mde.essa@state.mn.us for additional information.


HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) Awards

We are proud to add 24 more schools to the list of Minnesota winners of the HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) Award. These schools were recognized for the exemplary steps they have taken to create healthier school environments. The schools received an award during the current school year and the award period lasts for four years. Visit the USDA website for full list of Minnesota's winning schools.

Education in the News

Education Secretary's Tea for Teachers Taps St. Paul Educator

Erica Schatzlein was checking her email over lunch Feb. 23 when she found an invite to have tea with the U.S. secretary of education. Complete story at Workday Minnesota.


Relocated, Revamped Special Ed Program Helping TCU Students Progress

A lot can change in the world of special education in a short amount of time. Read more of Le Center Leader feature.


Edina’s Tang Wins Third Straight Math Bowl

It is hard to believe Edina High School junior Michael Tang still gets nervous during competitions after two consecutive first-place finishes at the Minnesota State High School Mathematics League state tournament. Read full story in the Sun Current.


87-Year-Old Lifelong Learner Receives Long Overdue Diploma

An octogenarian, whose family members call him one of the smartest people they know, finally has a high school diploma to hang on his wall. Read Mankato Free Press story. And the LeSueur News-Herald.

Recent BloggED posts

Transforming Waseca Public Library into a Destination

New children's cheery reading nook


One of the great ways that Minnesota Department of Education supports libraries is through grant programs managed by its State Library Services division. Different grant opportunities are designed to help libraries enhance and improve facilities and/or the unique programming and services they provide to their communities. Over the past several years, Waseca Public Library has transformed its building, spaces, and services... Read full March 30 post.

Upcoming Events

WEBINAR: Learn About LEAPS!

The Minnesota Department of Education wants you to know about the Learning English for Academic Proficiency and Success (LEAPS) Act this year to help our English learners succeed. Join us for a webinar about working with English learners with limited and interrupted formal education, on Tuesday, April 12, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Questions? Contact Michelle Niska. Register online. Stay tuned, we’ll be rolling out more about LEAPS all leap year long.


Instructional Effectiveness in the Arts

Arts educators, principals and instructional coaches are invited join us for a free workshop, Supporting Effective Teacher Development and Evaluation for Arts Educators. Learn what it means to be artistically literate in the arts, how to use academic standards for effective practice, how to create improvement goals for teachers and students and how to strengthen instruction, assessment and curriculum. Workshops will take place in June in three locations: June 13 in St. Cloud; June 15, in Rochester; and June 17 in Fergus Falls. Nine a.m. - 3:30 p.m., lunch provided. Please register online by May 1, 2016.

Fun Facts

Happy April Fool's Day!

Sometimes called All Fools' Day, this annual celebration, is one of the most light-hearted days of the year. Its origins are uncertain. Visit infoplease.com to learn more about the history of April 1.