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May 26, 2023
Updates in this email:
MDE is pleased to share a variety of professional learning opportunities supporting teacher development and evaluation (TDE) and Q Comp.
- Peer Coaching and Observation Training Series
- Student Learning Goals: Designing and Improving Systems for Student Success
- Professional Learning Community Leadership
- Teacher Leader Networking Series
- Professional Learning Community Book Study
- TDE/Q Comp Networking Sessions
These sessions are designed to serve teacher leaders, school leaders, and any educators serving on local TDE/Q Comp oversight or leadership teams. To learn more about each session and to register, please view the Teacher Development and Evaluation (TDE), Q Comp, and Mentoring 2023-24 Professional Learning Opportunities announcement.
To stay connected to similar announcements for TDE/Q Comp, be sure you are subscribed to the TDE/Q Comp newsletter.
If you have questions, contact Tamara Valme (tamara.valme@state.mn.us), 651-582-8413.
The Minnesota Department of Education’s Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Center invites applications to the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) Stronger Connections Grant. This competitive program is focused on reducing the risk of gun violence in our schools and communities. Local educational agencies (LEAs) are eligible to receive grants from $200,000 up to $500,000 for planning, training, and implementing a wide range of programs and practices that promote a safe and healthy learning environment.
Applications are due June 9 at 5pm. The grant program will begin in mid-August. To learn more about the grant program, please visit Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) Stronger Connections Grant .
Through the BSCA, Congress authorized $1 billion in formula funding under Title IV, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to State Educational Agencies to provide students with safer and healthier learning environments. MDE received a total of $10 million to distribute to LEAs
The EDI center will host an informational webinar and answer questions on May 25, 2023 from 3-4 p.m. via zoom. Please register for the Stronger Connections webinar.
Please contact Sarah J Weiss (651-582-8722), EDI Center Coordinator and program specialist, with any questions about this grant.
The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Center is offering restorative practices trainings this June. There was high interest for the Metro Circle to Teach Elementary so another section was added. There are affinity circles offered online for administrators, people of color, Indigenous voices, and para-professionals. Also consider the session for Repairing Relationships with Adults in Schools being offered in-person in the Metro and Greater MN. We are looking forward to being in community with you as we learn together.
Training registration fees range from $135 to $300. Go to the Implementing Restorative Practices web page for descriptions of the trainings in Greater Minnesota, Online, and in the Metro-Crystal, and for answers to Frequently Asked Questions on Restorative Practices Trainings.
If you have any questions about the trainings, contact Nancy Riestenberg, 651-582-8433, Grace Yang, 651-582-8777, or Gregg Campbell, 651-582-8796.
The MPCA is now accepting applications from Minnesota school bus owners and operators for grant funds to help fund new electric school buses.
Approximately $2.9 million in funding is available. The maximum award per project (bus + charger) is $375,000 or up to 85% of total eligible costs for government owned eligible buses, and privately owned school buses under contract with a public school district (or 75% for privately owned buses not contracted with a public school district). Grant funds cannot be used to expand fleets and the older bus must be destroyed. The money comes from Minnesota’s share of the national Volkswagen (VW) settlement.
Information to help applicants submit proposals can be found on the Electric School Bus Grant webpage. You'll also find details once they become available on accessing an online training designed to assist applicants. Applications are due no later than 4:30 p.m. CT on August 15 through the SWIFT Supplier Portal.
Applicants who have any questions regarding this RFP must email questions to grants.pca@state.mn.us, subject line: “MN Electric School Bus Grant”, no later than 2:30 p.m. on August 1. Answers to questions will be posted frequently in the SWIFT Supplier Portal.
This grant opportunity is not related to the Federal Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus program. The two programs are separate and running concurrently.
MDE has launched the first phase of the Minnesota Education Grant System (MEGS). This new, modern grant and payment processing system is flexible, reliable and easy to use. More grants will be transitioned to MEGS over time.
For more information, visit MDE’s MEGS webpage, to which we will be adding additional resources and support materials in the coming months.
As we move through this exciting and celebratory time of the year recognizing the many accomplishments of our students, their families, and communities, it is imperative that you be aware that the Legislature has adopted a long-overdue statute (HF 748) regarding graduation ceremony attire for American Indian students. This is effective immediately. The language reads, “A school must not prohibit an American Indian student from wearing American Indian regalia, Tribal regalia, or objects of cultural significance at a graduation ceremony”. If you have any questions regarding this legislation, please reach out to the Office of American Indian Education at mde.indian-education@state.mn.us
The Minnesota Department of Education will collect recently arrived English Learner (RAEL), Active Duty Parent (ADP), students with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE), and Immigrant data elements via the Student Support Data Collection (SSDC) Systems. All information must be entered by June 1 for use in reporting, funding and accountability calculations. Students appear in the SSDC system with a recent error-free MARSS submission. Only approved SSDC Coordinators are able to access the secure SSDC system to identify students.
All LEAs must submit data in the SSDC for school year 2022-23. For school year 2022-23, RAEL, ADP, SLIFE, and Immigrant data elements will be pulled from the SSDC submission system. Moving into school year 2023-24, all LEAs who are Ed-Fi certified for MARSS will be expected to report these data elements through Ed-Fi. This means the SSDC data must be input in your district or charter’s student information software where it will live and thus be submitted to MDE via the Ed-Fi Application Programming Interface (API). In school year 2023-24, any LEA not yet certified for MARSS will be expected to report in the SSDC. Stay tuned throughout next school year for reminders and tips on SSDC data being submitted in Ed-Fi.
Questions regarding identification or programmatic issues can be directed to mde.el@state.mn.us. Technical questions regarding Ed-Fi issues can be directed to ed-fi.mde@state.mn.us.
Read the April 27 memorandum regarding Career and Technical Education (CTE) Levy Reporting from Assistant Commissioner Angela Mansfield, Office of Educational Opportunity, and Sally Reynolds, Director of the Career and College Success Division. The CTE Levy reporting system will open May 2 for entering the anticipated FY24 (2023-2024 school year) budgets. Budgets must be entered for approved CTE programs by June 6.
Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.4531, directs the Minnesota Department of Education to annually recalculate the authority of a school district to levy for costs associated with its CTE programs. Districts must submit annual budgets for their CTE programs to qualify for this permissive levy.
For assistance with detailed questions about the CTE Levy Program System, contact Shelli Sowles, 651-582-8403.
The 2023 Read Well by Third Grade (RWBTG) online submission platform is now open. This data is required of all Minnesota districts and charter schools that enroll students in grades K–2 and is due to MDE annually by July 1. Please see the RWBTG Launch Memo for further information.
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