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IN THIS EDITION |
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PRESS RELEASES |
Read statement Commissioner Cassellius sent to Minnesota superintendents and charter school directors regarding Federal Guidance and Transgender/Gender Nonconforming Students.
February 23 press release.
Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Justice issued a letter to schools, withdrawing the statements of policy and guidance issued under President Obama directing that transgender students should be allowed to use the restrooms, locker rooms, and other school facilities that correlate with their gender identity. In response to this withdrawal, Governor Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith today issued the following statements.
Read Governor's Office press release.
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Minnesota high school graduation rates continue to trend upward, with the class of 2016 posting the overall highest rate on record at 82.2 percent. Rates for all students were up one-third of a percentage point from 2015, and up 5 percentage points from 2011, showing that more Minnesota students are graduating from school.
Read February 23, press release.
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ACTION ITEMS |
The 2015-16 Minnesota Common Course Catalogue (MCCC) data submission is due on April 6, 2017. The data submission will include a single early education course, grades 3-8 Language Arts and Mathematics only, and all courses for grades 9-12. Grades K-12 will submit course, staff and student files. Early education will submit course, staff and student files. Early education sites exempt from 2015-16 are users of TSIS and Synergy.
The 2016-17 MCCC data submission will open on April 1, 2017. Early Education will be due August 15, 2017. K-12 will be due April 2018.
If you have any questions about MCCC, please contact Karen Millette at karen.millette@state.mn.us or 651-582-8632.
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The annual reporting of E-rate cost data for the purpose of calculating the FY17 Minnesota Telecom Access Equity Aid began February 1, 2017, and continues until February 28. Please note the updates to the cluster representatives addresses. Further information is available on MDE’s website on the Facilities and Technology webpage.
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The School Safety Technical Assistance Center is partnering with Special Olympics Minnesota to provide resources for schools and districts to improve school climate through acceptance and inclusion as part of the Spread the Word to End the Word Day on March 1.
The "Spread the Word to End the Word" campaign aims at eliminating the use of the "r-word" from everyday speech. The "r-word" is the word retarded. Why does its use hurt? The "r-word" hurts because it is exclusive, offensive and derogatory. The campaign asks people to pledge to stop saying the "r-word" as a starting point toward creating more accepting attitudes and communities for all people. Pledge today to use respectful, person-first language.
If you want to host a “Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign in your school, request your FREE kit by contacting Special Olympics Minnesota’s Nick Cedergen, 763-270-7177. Both the School Safety Technical Assistance Center and Special Olympics Minnesota have resources to increase youth engagement and youth leadership development. If you have questions, contact the center, 651-582-8364![]( "Call: 651-582-8364") .
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ITEMS OF INTEREST |
With support from MDE through a Library Services and Technology Act grant, Hennepin County Library is offering a series of programs about families and incarceration.
Hennepin County Library invites educators and community members to a unique forum addressing the issue of families and incarceration. At the Brookdale Library (6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center) on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at 4:30 p.m., author Nora Raleigh Baskin will briefly talk about her book, Ruby on the Outside, a compassionate story about a young girl and her incarcerated mother. After Baskin's presentation, a panel of local experts on the issue will share their experience and help participants develop strategies that can be applied in the classroom to help families affected by incarceration. Please register today for the Educator Forum on the Families Affected by Incarceration webpage.
Please download and share a flier with more details about the forum and related events. If you have questions, please contact Daniel Marcou at dmarcou@hclib.org or 612-543-8852![]( "Call: 612-543-8852") .
This project was made possible in part by funding from the Minnesota Department of Education through a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
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I am pleased to let you know we have hired a new director of Indian Education at the Minnesota Department of Education. Dr. Jane Harstad has accepted the position and will assume her new role on March 1, 2017.
Dr. Harstad brings a strong background in Indian Education to this important leadership position. Born and raised in the Twin Cities, Jane is a member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. After working as an elementary teacher in St. Paul, she continued her education to include a master’s and doctorate degree in educational leadership in the American Indian Leadership Program at Penn State. Upon returning to Minnesota, she has continued her career as a principal and in the research field among the nonprofit sector.
Jane will build on the tremendous work Dennis Olson has done over the course of the past four years to improve academic outcomes for our American Indian students in Minnesota. Dennis set a high bar with his commitment and professionalism while serving as the previous director of Indian Education and we look forward to working closely with him in his new role as the executive director of the MIAC. While we still have significant work to do to ensure success for every student, we are encouraged by our early progress in graduation rates and other indicators, and know that continuing that progress will take many hands and close partnerships.
Dennis has generously agreed to assist Jane during this transition, and of course, she will be working closely with me as we continue our collaborative work with you, tribal leaders, the TNEC, urban Indian educators and so many more stakeholders who work with American Indian students. Please join me in welcoming Jane and as always, thank you for your leadership on behalf of our Indian children.
Brenda
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On February 25, 2017, the Minnesota Department of Education will be performing a data center migration. This effort addresses recent building power failures and continuity of operations requirements to continue to operate in the event of future disasters.
MDE systems and applications will be offline from Friday, February 24 at 5 p.m. to Saturday, February 25 at 5 p.m. During this timeframe, all systems and applications will be offline and inaccessible.
If you have questions, please contact the Department of Education program area(s) you work with for more details. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to provide continuous service improvements.
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