PRESS RELEASE
10/16/2018 - Minnesota students again topped the nation on the ACT college entrance exam, among the 19 states where 90 percent or more students took the college entrance exam, earning a composite score of 21.3. Nationally, 55 percent of 2018 graduates took the ACT, earning an average composite score of 20.8.
Read full press release.
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ACTION ITEMS
According to Minnesota Statutes, section 121A.335, subdivision 1, the commissioners of the departments of health and education have developed a model plan to require school districts and charter schools to accurately and efficiently test for lead in school drinking water. This plan, to the extent possible, is based on standards established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Please reference the link below for updates to the 3Ts (previously Training, Testing and Telling, now Training, Testing, and Taking Action). EPA is now recommending a two step sampling protocol, with step one being a 250 milliliter (mL) first-draw sample to identify potential lead in the fixture and step two (if step one is high) being a 250-mL flush sample (after a 30 second flush) to identify lead in the plumbing behind the fixture. Both samples should be taken after an eight to 18-hour stagnation period. The previous 20 parts per billion (ppb) action level is not included in this version. The current reducing lead in drinking water model plan will be revised to reflect EPA 3Ts updates.
EPA has scheduled webinars on the revised 3Ts for Thursday, October 25 and Wednesday, October 31, both from 1-2:30 p.m. CDT.
Visit the EPA 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities webpage for the registration links.
For questions regarding health effects, sampling procedures, protocols or other technical assistance, please contact the Minnesota Department of Health at health.drinkingwater@state.mn.us or 651-582-4700.
For questions regarding funding Long-Term Facilities Maintenance, please contact the Minnesota Department of Education at mde.funding@state.mn.us or 651-582-8779.
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Many things make your district and school great, and we want to help highlight your strengths on the Minnesota Report Card. The website currently displays a variety of data on each district or school in Minnesota, including enrollment, graduation and proficiency rates and more. Beginning December 2018, the report card’s My School tab will include a section for schools to highlight information that may not be captured in the data.
Enter My School narratives for each of your schools into the District and School Site Verification system by October 31, 2018.
Each district and charter school has an Identified Official with Authority (IOwA) who has access to update your My School messages in the system. When displayed on the Minnesota Report Card, there will be a short disclaimer indicating that this information was submitted by the district or school. While we will review the content for typographical errors, we will rely on schools to provide information that is well-written, appropriate, accurate and relevant to the community. View an example of where the My School message will appear on the report card.
You have a maximum of 1,200 characters to describe your school (the limit includes spaces). This is your opportunity to tell your school’s story. What makes your school stand out to your students and families? What are the values of your school that tell the public how you approach providing an excellent education to all students? View examples of statements on the My School instructions.
If you have questions about the My School message, please contact us at mde.communications@state.mn.us.
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The Minnesota Scholars of Distinction program nurtures and recognizes distinguished achievement by highly motivated, self-directed students. Students may apply for Scholars of Distinction Awards in leadership, mathematics, science, social studies, STEM, and theater arts. All applicants must complete the Intent to Apply Form, available October 15 to December 15, 2018. For information about the criteria, timelines and application process for a 2019 award, visit the Scholars of Distinction webpage.
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ITEM OF INTEREST
The Minnesota Department of Health has resources available to support schools in addressing the use of e-cigarettes in schools, including a recent health advisory and a toolkit providing curriculum for health educators, information for parents, tobacco-free school policy guides and free signage to promote health messaging.
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CONFERENCE
The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) conference will be held in Minneapolis November 15-18, 2018. The event features 300-plus content-rich sessions covering a full range of topics in gifted education. This is an extraordinary opportunity for Minnesota educators, administrators, and parents to attend the national conference without leaving the state. For information visit the NAGC website.
Leadership Forum
When: Thursday, November 15, 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Where: Hilton Minneapolis Hotel
As part of the conference, district and school leaders in Minnesota are invited to access a national perspective around the vital issue of gifted and talented education and meeting the unique needs of these students. Lunch will be served. An invitation to participate in this leadership forum is extended to superintendents, charter school directors, and a member of their administrations or school boards. Here are a few highlights from the agenda.
- Changing Minds: Increase the public’s urgency to support the needs of gifted children, April Wells, Elgin School District, IL
- Changing Policies: Advocate for the adoption of policies that promote programs and services in which gifted and talented children will thrive, Jonathan Plucker, Johns Hopkins University
- Changing Practices: Empower supporters to implement effective practices for all gifted and talented children in homes, schools, and communities, Julia Roberts, Western Kentucky University
- Developing an Academic Acceleration Policy for Your District, Susan Assouline, University of Iowa, Belin Blank Center, Ann Lupkowski-Shoplik, University of Iowa, Belin Blank Center, Wendy Behrens, Minnesota Department of Education
The leadership forum invitation and RSVP link will be emailed this week. For questions or more information, please call NAGC at 202-785-4268.
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