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An update from Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Vol. 2, No. 11: Aug. 5, 2024
Curriculum Director Meetings
MDE will host three virtual Curriculum Directors Meetings in 2024–25; there are two time slots for each session. Curriculum Director Meetings are intended to provide curriculum directors with legislative updates, implementation and timeline guidance, technical assistance regarding feedback from survey responses, as well as an opportunity to learn about other Minnesota Department of Education divisions and supports. New and experienced curriculum directors are welcome to attend either session. Curriculum Director virtual sessions are not recorded and CEUs will not be provided as these sessions are an additional support rather than a training.
We also recognize that districts experience changes over the summer with staffing, so Curriculum Director Meetings are a great opportunity to network and meet other curriculum directors with less than five years of experience. If your district has experienced employee changes, please be sure to visit Schools and Organizations (MDE-ORG). Within MDE-ORG, select Contact List from the left menu, then District Curriculum Leaders. Please verify and update the necessary contact information for your Curriculum Director(s).
Curriculum Director Meetings are also an excellent opportunity to connect with specific MDE content specialists to discuss the tools available to districts for standards implementation. Dates and webinar links for the 2024–25 Curriculum Director Meetings are as follows:
Fall Session:
Winter Session:
Spring Session:
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Ethnic Studies Framework and Open Feedback Recommendations
The Ethnic Studies Working Group (ESWG) has been meeting regularly since April 15, and has made important progress toward developing a state ethnic studies framework along with other recommendations to support districts and charters in the implementation of ethnic studies education in K–12.
View the ESWG assumptions on the MDE website. These are based on Minnesota Statutes 2023, section 120B.251.
The ESWG is responsible for developing an Ethnic Studies framework that integrates with or complements benchmarks and standards in the Ethnic Studies strand in the 2021 Social Studies standards, as well as recommendations for professional development and exemplar instructional materials. Writing teams worked in July to draft the working group’s recommendations. The recommendations will be open for two weeks for public review and commenting, Aug. 8–22.
Your involvement and input in this process is a crucial step toward providing every student in Minnesota with equitable access to high-quality ethnic studies education. To provide feedback:
- Review the framework and recommendations: Access them on the Ethnic Studies page of the MDE website beginning Aug. 8.
- Share your thoughts: We encourage you to share your thoughts, suggestions, and concerns through the online comment form that will be available on the website beginning Aug. 8.
- Help spread the word: Help us reach more stakeholders by sharing this invitation with your colleagues, students, friends, and community members.
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Artificial Intelligence Resources and Guiding Principles
MDE has developed a collection of resources to support schools as they navigate the opportunities and challenges associated with generative artificial intelligence (AI). A cross-divisional team at MDE has compiled these materials to provide educators with essential information and guidance on AI in education.
The main AI page contains general information about generative AI, while the AI in Education page offers guiding principles, highlights opportunities and challenges, and provides resources and considerations for schools looking to create AI guidance and policies.
We invite you to explore these resources to better understand and implement AI in your educational practices.
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Employment Opportunity at the Minnesota Department of Education
The Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment Division is looking for an Education Consultant 3: Mathematics Assessment Specialist to join our Test Development team. This position will provide direction, leadership, coordination, consultation, and program services to school districts and to the Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment team to facilitate the development of the statewide mathematics assessment and implementation of state academic standards in mathematics. They will serve as the state expert and primary resource for K-12 mathematics assessment.
Title: Math Assessment Specialist
Application period: Aug. 1–22.
You may view this posting at the Minnesota Careers website. Search for Job ID 78899.
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Visit MDE at the Minnesota State Fair
The Minnesota State Fair is just around the corner and MDE will once again have a booth at the Education Building. Stop by to spin the trivia wheel, answer a question, and win a prize. Students will be encouraged to fill out “Thank an Educator” cards, which will be mailed to educators by MDE after the Fair. The State Fair will run from Aug. 22 through Labor Day, Sept 2. To learn more, go to mnstatefair.org.
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English Language Arts District Leaders Meetings
What: English Language Arts (ELA) District Leaders will meet every other month in school year 2024–25, beginning in September. These meetings will be focused on ELA Standards implementation (in school year 2025–26) as well as the upcoming transition to the Reading MCA-IV (first administration in Spring 2026). We also want to be responsive to the interests and needs of participants and will use the first meeting to gather input on preferred topics and supports.
Who: Anyone with a leadership role connected to K–12 English Language Arts, including curriculum directors, literacy leads and coaches, and building literacy leaders.
When: 8–9:30 a.m. on:
- Sept. 17
- Nov. 19
- Jan. 21
- March 18
- May 27
Where: Zoom (links provided via email)
How: If you’d like to be added to the contact list for ELA District Leaders network to receive information and meeting invites, please email ELA Specialist Kristin Bauck (kristin.bauck@state.mn.us).
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English Language Arts Office Hours
What: Monthly office hours hosted by MDE’s ELA Standards and Reading Assessment team. Drop in to ask any question related to the 2020 ELA Standards, standards implementation, or the Reading MCA.
Who: District and school leaders, K–12 ELA educators, literacy coaches, and anyone whose work connects with ELA and/or the Reading MCA.
When: Every second Tuesday of the month, from 3 to 4 p.m.
Where: Virtual (Zoom).
How: Find dates and Zoom links on the ELA Standards webpage. If you’re not able to join but have questions related to ELA Standards, contact Kristin Bauck (kristin.bauck@state.mn.us).
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Social Studies Curriculum Leader Meetings
What: MDE will host virtual and in-person sessions to support planning for and implementation of the 2021 K–12 Academic Standards in Social Studies monthly during the 2024–25 school year. In addition to hearing from MDE content specialists, these sessions will also offer leaders a chance to work with leaders of a variety of professional organizations and cultural institutions that support social studies education in Minnesota, as well as time for networking and conversation with other leaders.
Who: These sessions are open to anyone with building or district-level responsibilities for curriculum planning and development in all social studies content areas, including curriculum directors, department leads, and teachers.
When: Monthly, beginning in September. Most months will have two sessions—one virtual, and one in-person at MDE, but September will kick off with a virtual session for all interested leaders.
Where: Virtual (Zoom). In person at MDE (400 NE Stinson Boulevard, Minneapolis, MN 55413).
How: Fill out the Social Studies Curriculum Leader Network form to join the social studies mailing list for updates.
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Nominate a Student for the U.S. Senate Youth Program
What: The United States Senate Youth Program is an intensive week-long educational experience and scholarship sponsored by the United States Senate for outstanding high school students who are interested in pursuing careers in public service. Two student leaders will be selected to represent the state as delegates and will hear major policy addresses by senators, cabinet members, officials from the departments of State and Defense and directors of other federal agencies. Each selected delegate will be awarded a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies, with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science.
Who: Students who hold leadership positions in their schools and communities are invited to apply for the program, and must be nominated by a principal or assistant principal.
When: Applications will be posted in August, and are due in October. Selected delegates will travel to Washington, D.C. in March 2025.
Where: Find more information on the USSYP website. Email mde.ussyp@state.mn.us with questions.
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K–12 Computer Science Education Advancement Grants
Who: LEAs interested in expanding K–12 computer science learning opportunities within the school day.
What: These grants are designed to support LEAs who are working to expand K–12 computer science learning opportunities within the school day.
When: August 2024, TBD
Why: In alignment with the CS Working Group's recommendations from Minnesota's Computer Science State Strategic Plan.
Where: MDE’s Competitive Grant Opportunities website.
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Empower {MN:CS}
Who: K–12 Educators, Administrators, Counselors, Coaches
What: Empower {MN:CS} presented by MDE, Northern Lights Collaborative for Computing Education, Raspberry Pi Foundation, CSforAll-MN, and CSTA-MN is an in-person professional learning experience designed to provide K–12 educators with the guidance, support, and resources they need to create a computer science pathway in their school districts. This year, participants will choose a workshop that best aligns with their personal goals and interests. Along with these engaging and hands-on workshops, there will be opportunities to network and engage with other educators through a variety of presentations and events.
Where: University of Minnesota
When: Aug. 13–15
How: Register on the Empower {MN:CS} website.
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Division of Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Minnesota Department of Education
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