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In order to hear from as many Minnesotans as possible, we have created a survey to gather feedback about ESSA. The survey is available in four languages, and all responses are
anonymous. We encourage all stakeholders, parents, students, teachers and staff
to participate. Please share this opportunity with interested parties. The
survey is open until January 31. Please contact mde.essa@state.mn.us
with any questions.
Nonpublic Education Council Meeting
Staff from the Minnesota Department of Education were
offered the opportunity to hear feedback from the Nonpublic Education Council
on January 6. The council is tasked with advising the Commissioner
of Education on issues affecting nonpublic education and nonpublic schools.
Council members were interested to learn that MDE is in the process of
preparing to implement ESSA mandates.
Council members were interested in notification of allocations,
equitable participation for nonpublic students taken off the top of the Title I
allocation, and MDE appointing an ombudsman for nonpublic schools. Members and
their communities will be looking for the draft state plan in order to offer
more comments.
Northside Achievement Zone Parent Advisory Board
Parents from the Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) Parent Advisory Board invited MDE staff
to provide information on ESSA and hear feedback. Parents are deeply passionate
about their community schools.
The discussion ranged from the need to increase the diversity
of educators in the classroom and schools through the use of federal funds to
increase equity, to the importance of early learning opportunities. MDE was
encouraged to listen to student voices in looking at accountability. In
addition, parents expressed that test results alone can’t describe educational
success.
Community members were eager for districts to take steps to
better engage families in their schools. MDE was encouraged to consider the NAZ
model for schools and for community engagement to improve outcomes.
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