Updates from MDE: 5-31-24

department of education

May 31, 2024

Updates in this email:


2024 Minnesota Summit on Learning and Technology – August 8

All educators from K-12 and higher education are invited to the 2024 Minnesota Summit on Learning and Technology, an offering of the Minnesota Learning Commons (MnLC), on Thursday, August 8, at St. Cloud State University. Registration is $50 and includes access to all Summit activities, food, and refreshments. If you cannot join in person, there is a virtual option available.

Breakout sessions will include generative AI in both K-12 and higher education, quality instructional practices, innovative practices, digital equity and more. The full program will be available in early June.

Register for the 2024 Minnesota Summit on Learning and Technology. If you have questions, please contact Mary Mehsikomer, Sourcewell, 218-541-5314.

Reminder: PELSB Requests Transition to Minnesota School Jobs by June 30

Minnesota School Jobs has received official recognition from the Professional Educator Standards and Licensing Board (PESLB) as the new designated statewide job board for Minnesota. This transition provides public school employers with a new channel to attract job seekers. Public schools will be required to use Minnesota School Jobs for any Tier 1 or Out-of-Field Permission posting beginning July 1, 2024. To help with this transition, please Complete the Employer Account Request Form by June 30 to ensure no disruption to posting positions. You are welcome to read more at the Minnesota School Jobs website.

Additionally, PELSB and Minnesota School Jobs hosted a district information session on using the new job board platform. Please watch the PELSB Information Session on Statewide Job Board for information. 

Reminder: SSDC Student Information Collected on June 1, 2024

The Student Support Data Collection (SSDC) data collection includes the following data elements: 

  • Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE)
  • Immigrant
  • Active Duty Parent (ADP)
  • Recently Arrived English Learners (RAEL)

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) will collect RAEL, ADP, SLIFE, and Immigrant data elements via the Student Support Data Collection (SSDC) Systems on June 1, 2024. 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 2023-24. For school year 2023-24 reporting, funding, and accountability purposes, RAEL, ADP, SLIFE, and Immigrant data elements will be pulled from the SSDC submission system.   

Questions regarding SSDC, SLIFE identification or programmatic issues can be directed to mde.el@state.mn.us.  

Reminder: Register for July 9-11 Curriculum Institute and Cohort

Register for the Culturally Responsive Arts Curriculum and Summer Institute. The Cohort will kick-off with a three-day summer institute taking place July 9-11, in the Twin Cities metro area. The institute lays the foundation for a yearlong professional development opportunity and will support arts educators in identifying inequities in their current arts curriculum and ways to make it more culturally responsive by using MDE’s Culturally Responsive Arts Education Curriculum Audit.

Registrants must be employed in a role that provides arts instruction (dance, music, theatre and visual arts) and/or one which provides arts curriculum oversight, development and/or support such as Program Facilitator or Curriculum Director. Additional information on eligibility and program details may be found on the Culturally Responsive Arts Ed webpage.

If you have any questions about this Cohort, please visit our Culturally Responsive Arts Ed webpage or reach out to Arts and Equity Specialist, Rae Fox-Charles, 651-582-8582.

Reminder: Register for 2024-25 Native Arts Cohort and Summer Institute

Register for the Native Arts Summer Institute July 23-25. This free professional development institute and cohort supports K-12 arts educators to design meaningful and authentic learning experiences about Dakota and Ojibwe arts. Participants will take a deep dive into Dakota and Ojibwe arts and cultural expression as well as essential understandings about contemporary Native arts. Participants will learn alongside Iyekiyapiwiƞ Darlene St. Clair, artists, makers and performers from Tribal Nations in Minnesota, and MDE arts specialists.

Participants will have an opportunity to put their summer learning into action by developing and piloting at least one unit of study aligned to the 2018 arts standards that authentically and appropriately integrates Dakota and/or Ojibwe arts during the 2024-25 school year. Continued support during the following school year for this curriculum development consists of three professional development days.

If you have questions about the Native Arts Institute and Cohort, registration, or eligibility, please reach out to Arts Specialist, Alina Campana or visit the Culturally Responsive Arts Ed webpage.

Reminder: Apply for Network of Community Resource Centers and Kinship Navigator Programs by May 31

Is your school community working strategically to increase family and community engagement and consistent student attendance? Ensuring families have what they need is one of the primary goals of the new Department of Human Services (DHS) request for proposals (RFP) to create a Network of Community Resource Centers and Kinship Navigator Programs. Expanding places in community where families feel safe and supported to access programs and services is a key strategy in promoting family and community well-being. This RFP is now open for application.

Community Resource Center and Kinship Navigator grants are available to a broad array of entities including but not limited to community-based organizations, local governments, Tribal Nations, counties, school districts, community action agencies and collaboratives including one or more mentioned entity.

We encourage all eligible applicants to apply by May 31, 2024.

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