January 2, 2001 - {For Jan. 2, 2001} Education issues are expected to dominate much of the debate when the 2001 Minnesota Legislature convenes this week. Lawmakers will tackle proposals on classroom funding, alternative pay systems for teachers and school accountability. They could also end up going back to the drawing board on the Profile of Learning graduation standards. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports...
December 20, 2000 - State education officials say 56 Minnesota elementary schools are performing below expectations on state tests and need to make improvements. The list released today is based on third and fifth grade test scores and fulfills an accountability requirement for a federal program that helps disadvataged children. Education Commissioner Christine Jax calls the list a "valuable tool." But some school leaders say the list does more harm than good. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
December 12, 2000 - Striking bus drivers and custodians in the Robbinsdale school district have overwhelmingly approved a new two-year contract agreement. Negotiators for the union and school district resumed talks with a state mediator last (Monday) night and reached the settlement early this morning. School district officials say some custodians are expected back on the job as early as tonight and the buses will be rolling again as usual tomorrow (Wednesday) morning. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports...
December 6, 2000 - The 14-thousand students in the Robbinsdale school district will go back to classes tomorrow (Thursday), but they won't be riding in school buses. Classes were cancelled today in the suburban district after bus drivers and custodians went out on strike. Union leaders say they're prepared to walk the picket line as long as necessary. District officials say they're making the adjustments needed to keep schools open. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports...
November 29, 2000 - A new report on student performance shows the Minneapolis school district continues to make overall gains, but a handful of schools aren't doing as well as they need to. Under new accountability standards, eight elementary and middle schools could face strict district interventions and the possible reorganization of staff. School officials say additional efforts are also needed district-wide to address a troubling achievement gap for African-American students. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
November 27, 2000 - {For Mon. 11/27 M.E.} A special committee of Minnesota educators is helping decide what, if any, changes should be made to the Profile of Learning graduation standards. Consultants hired by the state recently issued a critical analysis of the Profile system. A local panel meets this week to review that report and will soon send its own recommendations for legislative adjustments to the state's education commissioner. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports...
November 14, 2000 - The national experts hired to review Minnesota's Profile of Learning say the system of graduation standards is too light on subject details and needs heavier state control. State education officials today (Tuesday) released a long-awaited analysis from the nonprofit organization Achieve Incorporated. The report sets the stage for more debate over the controversial show-what-you-know system in the next legislative session. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports...
November 9, 2000 - Students in Minnesota and the rest of the country are getting a unique civics lesson this week as they wait for a recount of presidential ballots in Florida and a decision on who wins the White House. The unsettled presidential contest is the main topic of discussion in most classrooms, and students are bombarding teachers with questions. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire visited a high school in Minneapolis and filed this report...
November 8, 2000 - St. Paul public schools will gain an additional 105-million dollars over the next five years. Voters in the state's second largest school district approved their first ever excess tax levy referendum on Tuesday by a margin of 57-percent to 43-percent. In Minneapolis voters overwhelmingly renewed a school district levy for another ten years. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
November 3, 2000 - Saint Paul voters will decide November 7th whether they want to pay additional property taxes to help public schools. School district officials say the additional 105-million dollars over five years would provide students more time and technology, which they say will ultimately improve student achievement. But opponents of the levy referendum say the only certainty is higher tax bills. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports...