ACTION ITEM
Under the requirements of the Minnesota Certificate Incentive Revenue legislation, House File 2749, Chapter 189, Article 25, Section 61, the Commissioner of Education in consultation with the Governor’s Workforce Development Council and P-20 Education Partnership has established a list of qualifying career and technical education certificates in fields where occupational opportunities exist. Reimbursement funds are available for the cost of students in grades 9 through 12 who completed a certificate during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years. The certificates may be completed as part of a regularly scheduled course. Access the names of the qualifying certificates on policy and funding webpage. More information regarding how school districts access reimbursement funds is forthcoming.
For more information, contact Michelle Kamenov, supervisor, Career and Technical Education, Office of Career and College Success (651-582-8434), or contact Dean Breuer, education specialist, Office of Career and College Success (651-582-8603).
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ITEMS OF INTEREST
When a suicide happens, it affects the entire school community. Being prepared to respond to a suicide death, including safe messaging and media coverage, can increase healing and decrease risk within the school and community, and can prevent future or “copycat” suicides. The Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Department of Health want you to know about the resources available in your community.
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Runs showing the district-by-district impact of the governor’s recommendations for the general education formula, special education aid, safe schools revenue and voluntary prekindergarten, as revised on March 22, 2019, have been posted to the Funding Projections and Trends webpage. In addition, a run providing a detailed breakdown of the impact of the special education recommendations by aid component by district, and a summary of recommended changes in the special education aid formula have been posted.
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Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is recruiting new districts/charter schools to participate in the Kindergarten Entry Profile (KEP). The KEP supports schools and districts in measuring what children know and are able to do at entry to kindergarten and can inform practice and programming. These standards-aligned, formative assessments provide a developmentally, linguistically, and culturally appropriate way to collect outcome data in order to tailor instruction and guide continuous program improvement efforts. Participating in the KEP can promote greater coherence in teaching and learning; particularly for districts/charter schools already using a KEP-approved assessment with its prekindergarten students (voluntary prekindergarten programs use KEP-approved assessments).
After selecting which KEP-approved assessment to use, MDE covers the costs associated with the assessment (both training and the per child cost of each assessment). Teachers collect fall data over an 8-10 week period and administrators share their data with MDE. MDE then provides each district/charter school with a profile of their kindergartners.
If you are interested in participating in the KEP, would like to learn more about KEP-approved assessments, or would like additional information about the profile, please reach out to Jon Vaupel, early childhood assessment specialist (651-582-8700).
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The 2019 MCTM Ross Taylor Symposium for Mathematics Education and Leadership will be held April 25, 2019, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., at the DECC Convention Center, Duluth, Minnesota.
Led by Fawn Nguyen, a full-time practicing classroom teacher, Fawn will share with you what she implements in her classroom that covers a range of “critical thinking demands” to invite all students into a mathematics curriculum that is relevant and challenging, one that values procedural skills as well as conceptual understanding.
Participants will work with visual patterns to develop algebraic reasoning and engage in number talks to develop number sense and flexible thinking. Participants will experience productive struggle through rich and challenging tasks that support the Standards for Mathematical Practice. Participants will implement a curriculum that endeavors to make math social, one that values collaboration and encourages play and risk-taking.
About Fawn
Fawn is a middle school math teacher at Mesa Union Junior High in southern California. She's been a classroom teacher since 1990. She was the 2014 Ventura County Teacher of the Year. In 2009, she was awarded the Math Teacher Hero from Raytheon. In 2005, she was awarded the Sarah D. Barder Fellowship from the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth. View more information and register for the MCTM Symposium
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Join Building Bridges through Discourse, Equity, Identity, Mathematical Mindset, Social Justice, and Technology April 26-27, 2019, at DECC Convention Center, Duluth, Minnesota.
The 2019 MCTM Spring Conference will open Friday morning with the keynote What If We’ve Been Teaching Mathematics All Wrong? by Fawn Nguyen. Following the breakout sessions Friday and half of Saturday, the conference will culminate with another keynote provided by MCTM Members Ignite!
View more information and register for the MCTM Spring Conference.
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TRAINING AND WORKSHOPS
The School Safety Technical Assistance Center is offering restorative practices training in Bemidji and Cloquet, June 10-14, and in Crystal, June 17-21. Restorative practices is an indigenous approach schools can use to improve school climate and reduce discipline disparities. It focuses on building relationships and creating community in school to prevent harm, to repair relationships and to address the needs of everyone impacted by the harm. Sessions range from a one-day First Steps—Exploring the Restorative Impulse session to a four-day circle training that includes Circle 3—Equity.
Learn more and register for the restorative practices training.
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Districts in the Achievement and Integration program are invited to join us for a day-long workshop focused on strategies for increasing racial and economic integration and reducing achievement disparities.
Lunch will be provided and registration is required. Register for the Dismantling Disparities workshop.
Please invite members of your World’s Best Workforce leadership team, staff active in your district's Achievement and Integration program or other district staff working to reduce disparities for students.
Keynote Address will be given by Dr. Brian Lozenski, assistant professor of urban and multicultural education in the Educational Studies Department at Macalester College in St. Paul. Dr. Lozenski will present on the history of integration and provide examples of inclusive interventions and strategies. Dr. Lozenski has worked extensively with educators, parents, schools, and districts to develop perspectives and strategies intended to address issues that have created race and class-based educational disparities.
Strategies will be presented by staff from districts including Stillwater Area Schools presenting on a research-based model of culturally competent instruction, Wabasso Public Schools on implementing a cross district early college program, and North St. Paul – Maplewood – Oakdale on supporting a cross district Youth Participatory Action Research program.
If you have any questions about this workshop, please contact Pam Booker (651-582-8503). We look forward to seeing you in Roseville!
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April 4, 2019, Minnesota Math Leaders Networking Session – Assessment as an Instructional Tool
Time: 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Location: Minnesota Department of Education, Conference Center B
Description: Groups will explore a variety of assessment practices and how these practices inform instruction in ways to improve student learning. We will also explore how data can inform practices that impact equity.
Facilitators: Patti Bambenek, K-12 math specialist, Duluth Public Schools; Liz Stamson, instructional excellence coordinator, Eden Prairie Public Schools; and Margaret Williams, teaching and learning specialist for Elementary Mathematics, Anoka-Hennepin Public Schools.
Target Audience: Administrators and teacher leaders who are passionate about leading change in mathematics education for all students. The networking meetings are open to anyone who is in a department or team, school, or district leadership position and are designed for leaders to give and receive support. Note: There is no charge for the session, but registration is required. Register for the April 4 Math Leaders Networking Session.
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