ITEMS OF INTEREST
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) will be changing security systems that are used by many MDE secure web applications and secure reports. You can get a preview of the new Education Identity and Access Management security system (EDIAM), which will replace the current Minnesota ID Management System (MIDMS) security system used by many MDE secure web applications and secure reports, at the Back to School Conference on Wednesday, August 7 from 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. in Northland Salon 1. Additional information about this change will be in next week’s superintendent mailing.
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The documentation for the grant opportunity to increase Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) course offerings, including the instructions, application and budget documentation, are now available on the Minnesota Department of Education's Grant Opportunity website.
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.
If you have questions regarding the legislative language, please contact Mary Barrie (651-582-8478).
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Results from the North Star accountability system will be released in August. The major dates for release are:
- Wednesday, August 7 – secure release to districts (more details to follow) with district-and school-specific data
- Monday, August 26 – embargoed release of the public North Star file to districts
- Tuesday, August 27 – embargoed release of the public North Star file to the press
- Thursday, August 29 – public release, including updated data on the Minnesota Report Card, and general availability of the public North Star file
At noon on Wednesday, August 7, district and school staff with secure reports access will be able to see data for the North Star accountability system. In the Accountability Secure Reports section of secure reports, users will be able to access the North Star Report, located in the Minnesota Department of Education Data Center >Secure Reports>Accountability Secure Reports Section. This report will provide information about school and district performance on each indicator in the North Star system. Users will also be able to download secure rosters for: academic achievement and progress; progress toward English language proficiency; and consistent attendance (secure rosters for graduation have been available since the spring).
Staff at the Minnesota Department of Education will offer four webinars for users with questions about navigating and interpreting their data, as well as some discussion of communicating the data to community members and the press. These webinars will be held on:
• Friday, August 9, 9 a.m.
• Tuesday, August 13, 8:30 a.m.
• Thursday, August 15, 4 p.m.
• Tuesday, August 20, 9 a.m.
Also on August 7, the accountability appeals window will open. A link to the appeals survey will be sent in that week’s assessment update and superintendent update. Requests for an appeal can be made through an online survey tool, which will become available on August 7.
The appeals window will close on August 21 at 4 p.m.
Please contact Michael Diedrich (651-582-8332) with questions.
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All district and charter schools have received a Fiscal Year 20 (FY) Title IV Part A allocation. The minimum allocation that has been awarded to a district or charter school is $10 thousand and there are specific requirements for districts and charters that receive $30 thousand or higher allocations.
These funds are an opportunity to design and collaborate in the areas of well-rounded education, safe and healthy schools, and effective use of technology to improve equity, opportunity and outcomes for all students. Examples of allowable uses of funds include, but are not limited to: science, technology, engineering and math, computer science, the arts, accelerated learning, mental health, counseling, social-emotional learning, positive behavioral interventions and supports, wellness, blended and personalized learning, digital literacy and more.
Allocations have been loaded into the manage allocations section of State Educational Record Review and Submission System (SERVS) financial. Superintendents and charter directors should accept FY20 allocations/awards in SERVS financial. Many local education agencies have balanced or carried forward their FY18 and/or FY19 funds into FY20. Remember that any remaining FY18 funds will need to be spent by September 30, 2019.
LEAs must complete a 2019-20 SERVS financial application to access funds. Grants are due by September 1, 2019, and can be submitted earlier.
Refer to the ESEA Federal Title IV Programs webpage for helpful information and documents, including the narrative part of the application.
Contact Kate Beesch (651-582-8646) or Doug Paulson (651-582-8471) for questions or support.
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TRAININGS
Public schools must have health and safety programs that comply with health, safety and environmental regulations and best practices, including indoor air quality (IAQ) management. The following training sessions are being offered through the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Sessions will discuss the state’s best practices for school IAQ management.
Location and Dates/Times
Roseville (MDE): September 17, 2019, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Rochester (MDH): September 24, 2019, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Roseville (MDE): September 30, 2019, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
St. Cloud (MDH): October 9, 2019, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Fergus Falls (MDH): October 10, 2019, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Webinar: October 15, 2019, 1-4 p.m.
For more information and to register, please visit the MDH training page.
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