December 11, 1998 - An advisory panel is asking legislators for a major overhaul of the state's high school graduation standards. The committee of business people and educators wants to scale back the controversial Profile of Learning...eliminate state performance guidelines...and require 11th graders to pass a test before earning a dimploma. But some members of the committee say it slashed the program without knowing whether it was working. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... The Profile of Learning is the state's system to measure how well students apply what they've learned. Students are required to meet 24 performance standards in 10 broad subject areas. Critics call it a bureaucratic mess that's difficult to understand. The committee that's been stud
December 12, 1998 - Our Voices of Minnesota series features Minneapolis astronaut Colonel Bob Cabana who is commanding the Space Shuttle Endeavor, which is set for launch Thursday morning to begin building the International Space Station. He speaks with MPR’s Mark Zdechlik. Program begins with NPR report on the mission of International Space Station.
December 15, 1998 - Duluth and the Iron Range are attempting to shed their dependence on heavy industry. They're putting tax dollars behind efforts to revamp the economy and attract technology-related jobs. In the past the DFL-dominated area enjoyed considerable power and influence at the Capitol, and put it to good economic development use. But the incoming Ventura administration, as well as the newly Republican House legislature, mean changes in the balance of power, and some are concerned that may effect the region's ability to remake itself. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil reports. The head of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board says the writing is on the wall for northern Minnesota's traditional industries including taconite and logging. IRRRB Commissioner Jim Gustafson says as a result the agency has ambitious plans to retool the Iron Ran
December 15, 1998 - Students who say they're concerned about cuts in financial aid, cheered as Governor-elect Jesse Ventura told them they should pay for college themselves. Ventura told students at North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park that they'll enjoy their education more if they earn it. MPR’s Tim Pugmire interviews a couple students after event to get their take.
December 24, 1998 - Minnesota's older teenagers are supposed to be hitting the books, at least if they want to legally ride a snowmobile. A new law requires all teenagers to pass a safety course before operating a snowmobile on public land. But few of the older teens have signed up for training, and public safety officials fear many are unaware of the law, or intend to ignore it. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports ..... The snowmobile season got off to a slow start this winter.... SFX: (vroom - ratta tat ratta tatta tatta - vroom) For two days in November at the annual Snowcross races just outside Duluth
December 30, 1998 - Minnesota's tobacco trial will go down as one of the nation's biggest legal stories of the year. Twin Cities lawyers took on what's historically been a tough industry to battle and secured nearly seven-billion dollars for the State and Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki looks back at the trial of the year.
December 30, 1998 - (For Wed. 12/30 M.E.) Minnesota legislative candidates made education their top campaign issue. Beginning next week, those who won get a chance to deliver on their promises. School funding, class sizes and high school graduation standards are expected to dominate the education debate in the legislature. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... During the last legislative session, lawmakers provided millions of dollars to implement new high school graduation standards, known as the Profile of Learning. The controversial new system was designed to measure how well students apply what they've learned by meeting standards in 1
January 6, 1999 - This January edition of Voices of Minnesota features MPR’s Dan Olson interviews with Dean Abrahamson, medical doctor and professor at University of Minnesota, and Eville Gorham, recently retired professor of ecology at University of Minnesota. Abrahamson discusses global warming, and its present and future impact on the Minnesota region. Gorham, who discovered the harmful influence of acid rain, discusses the past and current state of this pollution problem on the global environment.
January 13, 1999 - Larry Pogemiller, state senator and chair of the Senate K-12 education committee, discusses new report on how much school districts think it would cost to get 80 percent of their students to pass the basic skills tests for graduation. Pogemiller also answers listener questions.
January 20, 1999 - State lawmakers have started the debate over a proposed overhaul of Minnesota's high school graduation standards. The House Education Committee is considering a bill to scale back the controversial Profile of Learning, which is being introduced in the schools this year. Some legislators say the bill would hurt the state's education reform efforts. Others say they'd rather slash the entire Profile system.