MEDIA ADVISORY: September 29, 2016
Contact: Josh Collins, 651-582-8205, josh.collins@state.mn.us

Minnesota Department of Education to Hold Regional Meetings on the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

ROSEVILLE, MN – The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the nation’s latest pre-kindergarten through grade 12 education law, was signed into law in December 2015. ESSA is the newest version of the 50-year-old federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act and replaces the 2001 reauthorization known as No Child Left Behind. All states are required to submit a new state plan to the U.S. Department of Education for the 2017-2018 school year. The Minnesota Department of Education is engaging with districts, families, stakeholders, and the general public throughout the process of developing Minnesota’s new plan for how we will implement ESSA.

WHO: State and local education leaders, parents, families, teachers, students, community and business members, general public.

WHAT: The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is hosting a series of regional meetings about ESSA. The public is invited to join Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius and department staff to learn and share thoughts about ESSA and the vision for the Minnesota State Plan so far.

WHERE/WHEN:

Duluth Area Meeting
Wednesday, October 5 from 6-7:30 p.m.
Denfeld High School, 401 N. 44th Ave. W., Duluth, MN 55807

Bemidji Area Meeting
Thursday, October 6 from 6-7:30 p.m.
Bemidji High School, 2900 Division St W, Bemidji, MN 56601

Marshall Area Meeting
Thursday, October 13 from 6-7:30 p.m.
Marshall Middle School, 401 S. Saratoga, Marshall, MN 56258

Rochester Area Meeting
Friday, October 14 from 6-7:30 p.m.
Wood Lake Meeting Center, 210 Wood Lake Drive SE, Rochester, MN 55904

St. Cloud Area Meeting
Wednesday, October 26 from 6-7:30 p.m.
Apollo High School, 1000 44th Avenue N., St. Cloud, MN 56303

Metro Area Meeting
Thursday, November 3 from 6-7:30 p.m.
Diamondhead Education Center, 200 W. Burnsville Parkway, Burnsville, MN 55337

REGISTER: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3048386/ba9fa2885e44

MORE INFO: More about ESSA and the state’s plan can be found at http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/dse/essa/. There are other ways to engage with the state during this process. You can call 651-582-8800 or send your thoughts to mde.essa@state.mn.us or to: Minnesota Department of Education, 1500 Highway 36 W, Roseville, MN 55113. We need your input to ensure our plan will ensure that all students, regardless of background, get the best possible education.

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