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IN THIS EDITION |
After hearing from several districts about strange email messages last week, we determined that the department had been subjected to a “spear phishing” attack. Spear phishing is when a nefarious character sends a targeted email message that appears to have originated from someone official, but who is not the actual source. Essentially, the attacker was able to impersonate Commissioner Cassellius’ email address and send emails to school district superintendents requesting information about budgets and operating balances. We have determined that MDE data systems were not compromised, as this was an attempt to lure districts into sharing their financial information with the attackers.
Our IT staff have told us that the messages may have been caught by your district’s spam filtering software. However, we know that some of you did in fact receive the message, which contained spelling errors and odd character spacing, making it appear suspicious. If you receive one of these emails, please do not respond. Instead, forward it to phish@office365.microsoft.com.
Unfortunately this is a type of attack that IT experts are seeing with increasing frequency and sophistication. We do not know at this point if the attackers will make another attempt. We are working with Minnesota IT Services (MN.IT) staff to do whatever we can to minimize the possibility of further attacks, but this is an important reminder that districts should take proper steps to ensure data security, and provide training to employees on safeguarding against the various types of cyberattacks that are common these days.
For information about spear phishing and protecting yourself and your employees from cyberattacks, visit MN.IT’s Security Resources website, the Federal Trade Commission’s Phishing webpage, and the APWG, and international coalition unifying the global response to cybercrime across industry, government and law-enforcement sectors and NGO communities.
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ACTION ITEMS |
Superintendents and charter school directors are invited to participate in this monthly audio conference call hosted by Commissioner Brenda Cassellius. The next call is scheduled for Wednesday, April 19, 9:30-10:30 a.m. A notice providing dial-in instructions will be sent prior to the call. Comments to offer and/or questions you would like to ask are encouraged.
Last Conference Call: May 17, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Please read the April 12 memorandum from the Division of School Finance. This memo provides details on the SFY 2018 special education state and federal Electronic Data Reporting System (EDRS) data lines, application materials, eligibility for program approval and initial MOE.
If you have any questions, please contact the Special Education Funding and Data Team at mde.spedfunding@state.mn.us.
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With the change from ACCESS 1.0 to ACCESS 2.0, a reexamination of Minnesota’s definition for English language proficiency on the assessment was required. Based on relevant data and stakeholder input, the commissioner has approved the new proficiency definition to be an overall composite score of 4.5 with at least three of the domain scores (reading, writing, speaking, listening) at 3.5 or higher. This new ACCESS 2.0 proficiency score can be used in making exit decisions in spring of 2017.
If you have any questions regarding English Learner programming and proficiency, please contact Dennis Duffy (651-582-8304).
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Legislation passed in 2016 requires students to correctly answer 30 out of 50 selected civics test questions. This requirement is effective for students enrolling in grade 9 in the 2017-2018 school year or later. For more information, visit the Social Studies webpage and read the Civics Test Questions FAQ.
Please share this information with curriculum directors and social studies educators. Questions may be directed to mde.academic-standards@state.mn.us.
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GRANT OPPORTUNITY |
The Minnesota Department of Education is seeking applications from eligible applicants for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant program. Funding is available to establish, sustain and expand community learning centers in order to provide students, particularly those who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools, with high-quality programs for supporting the whole child. The focus of the funds is for programming offered primarily during non-school hours, including before school, after school, evenings, school release days, and summer.
City or county governments, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education, local education agencies (LEA), non-profit agencies and for-profit corporations, tribal agencies, and other public or private entities are eligible to apply. Individuals are not eligible to apply. Specific eligibility criteria are identified in the General Information Section of the grant opportunity instructions document.
The department estimates the initial grant period will be from September 1, 2017, until August 31, 2020, with anticipated extensions for up to two additional years contingent upon progress and continued funding. The department estimates that $4,000,000 is available to fund grants from the federal award CFDA 84.287, entitled “Every Student Succeeds Act, Title IV, Part B ‒ 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS.” There is no maximum grant award amount. The minimum grant award allowed is $50,000 annually. The state reserves the right to offer grant awards in amounts that might differ from the applicant’s request.
Please visit the Grant Opportunity webpage and scroll down to this grant opportunity for the application documents. Applications should not be submitted into the SERVS system.
The application (coversheet, assurances, narrative, forms and budget documents) must be received (not postmarked by) June 1, 2017, 4:30 p.m., Central Daylight Time.
The state reserves their right to cancel this solicitation and is not obligated to award any grants or continuation grants if it is considered to be in the state’s best interest.
For further information, contact Eric Billiet at mde.21CCLC@state.mn.us.
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ITEM OF INTEREST |
The Minnesota Board of Teaching has taken the following licensure actions:
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Johnson, Joshua B. (FF# 487011) On April 7, 2017, the board adopted a stipulation agreement and consent order suspending the teaching license of Joshua Brent Johnson.
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Schmidt, Brandon (FF# 428174) On April 7, 2017, the board adopted Findings of Fact Conclusions of Law and Order denying the licensure application of Brandon Schmidt.
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Schumacher, Elaine (FF# 206824) Ms. Schumacher’s license was suspended on April 6, 2017, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 270C.72, until she meets requirements of the Board of Teaching.
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Sundvahl, Stefnie (FF# 497656) On April 7, 2017, the board adopted Findings of Fact Conclusions of Law and Order denying the licensure application of Stefnie Sundvahl.
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Wallace, Todd (FF# 499118) On April 7, 2017, the board adopted Findings of Fact Conclusions of Law and Order denying the licensure application of Todd Wallace.
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