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IN THIS EDITION |
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PRESS RELEASE |
The Minnesota Department of Education submitted the state’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan to the U.S. Department of Education for review and approval. Developed over the last 21 months, with input from 300 public meetings and feedback from thousands of stakeholders from across the state provided, Minnesota’s plan is designed to create more equitable opportunities and outcomes for all students.
Read full press release. Minnesota’s plan, as submitted, is available on the MDE website.
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ACTION ITEMS |
Read the September 21 memorandum from Mary Barrie. Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) Concurrent Enrollment is a program authorized under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09, subdivision 10, in which courses are taught in the high school by either a postsecondary professor or an accredited high school teacher that allows students to earn both high school and postsecondary credit (dual credit). For high schools partnering with postsecondary institutions that are NOT accredited by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP), the signed concurrent enrollment program aid application for FY 2018 and required documentation is due to the Minnesota Department of Education no later than October 30, 2017. This deadline has been set so that needed information can be gathered to determine payments to districts in a timely manner. The application allows the high school to generate concurrent aid for the dual credit courses that are offered at the high school during the 2017-18 school year. A new signed application is required each school year. An application is not required for partnerships with postsecondary institutions that are NACEP accredited. Access the concurrent enrollment program aid application.
National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) in Minnesota 2017-18.
If you have any questions, please contact Jacqui McKenzie.
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Instructions and the application for a grant opportunity to increase science, technology, engineering, and math course offerings are now available on Minnesota Department of Education’s grant opportunity site.
This opportunity is available to Minnesota school districts and charter schools to encourage low-income and other underserved students to participate in advanced placement and international baccalaureate STEM programs.
Please email Mary Barrie or call 651-582-8478 for further information.
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Recent legislation regarding Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.30, subdivision 1e, changed the reimbursement of college entrance exams. Districts must continue to provide students the opportunity to participate in a college entrance exam on a school day, but individual students are not required to participate. Beginning in the 2017-18 school year, Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) will only reimburse districts for students who are eligible for a free or reduced-price meal. Only the ACT (ACT and ACT with Writing) and SAT (SAT and SAT with Essay) are considered nationally recognized college entrance exams.
A district may administer the ACT or SAT, or both. A student who is eligible for a free or reduced-price meal and wishes to take a nationally recognized test not offered by their district (e.g. the SAT for a district that is only offering the ACT) may do so on a national testing day. The district will still be eligible to receive a reimbursement for that exam.
While a school district may require a student who is not eligible for a free or reduced-price meal to pay the cost of taking a nationally recognized college entrance exam, these charges create barriers to student participation. The department encourages that whenever possible, fees should be avoided.
A district may not charge a fee to a student who is unable to pay for the college entrance exam. The legislation did not provide for a specific reimbursement to districts for students unable to pay. Further, no criteria was provided to determine ability to pay so districts can determine who falls in the category of unable to pay. MDE may reimburse districts on a prorated basis for students that are unable to pay for the exam. We will not know if there will be funds available until reimbursements are made for students qualifying for free and reduced-price meals are made. Districts will indicate in the GRR system those students they are requesting reimbursement based on the student unable to pay.
If you have any questions please contact statewide testing at mde.testing@state.mn.us.
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ITEMS OF INTEREST |
The Minnesota Board of Teaching has taken the following licensure actions:
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Mulrooney, Patrick (FF# 348930) On September 15, 2017, the board adopted Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Order suspending the teaching license of Patrick Mulrooney.
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Haler, Sara (FF# 414342) On September 15, 2017, the board adopted Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Order denying the licensure application of Sara Haler.
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Hoge, Kristy (FF# 480400) On September 15, 2017, the board adopted a stipulation agreement whereby Ms. Hoge surrenders her teaching license.
Verna, Michelle (FF# 361728) On September 15, 2017, the board adopted a stipulation agreement whereby Ms. Verna’s teaching license is revoked.
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Mann, Justin (FF# 483625) On September 15, 2017, the board adopted a stipulation agreement whereby Mr. Mann’s teaching license is subject to a stayed suspension.
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Bradley, Tracee (FF# 497276) On September 15, 2017, the board adopted a stipulation agreement whereby Ms. Bradley’s license is subject to a stayed suspension.
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2017 innovation research zones pilot program application form and background and application instructions are now available from the Minnesota Department of Education. The pilot project was passed in the 2017 legislative session, House File 2, see pages 67-70, lines 67.6 to 70.36. With recommendations from an advisory panel, the commissioner will select three pilots from the seven county metropolitan area and three from greater Minnesota.
Innovation research zones pilot programs are intended to allow participants to test new ideas in K-12 education. Applicants are encouraged to think beyond continuous improvement of existing practices to try out and measure the success of innovative practices. Partners will create real-world research from a formal hypothesis/theory of change developed out of their best intuition and educated guesses about what works. Engaging partners from higher education may provide a perspective on research that might be difficult to otherwise obtain; projects will develop a research-validated basis that advances educational models and new practices throughout the state.
Applications received by January 26, 2018, will be reviewed with an anticipated notification date of late March 2018. An informational webinar for interested applicants will be held on Wednesday, October 25 at 2:30 p.m. Pre-registration is not required; when it is time, join the meeting with meeting number: 597 897 030. To join by phone only, call 1-888-742-5095 and enter conference code 492 064 9083. Please email Jennifer Nelson or call 651-582-8791 with questions or to request an accommodation.
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State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2016 state special education aid entitlements have been recalculated to correct programming errors that were recently discovered in tuition billing calculations. Please read the SFY 2016 Final State Aid Calculation Update.
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