August 6, 1999 - The head of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system says he wants to stay on the job another two years. But Chancellor Morrie Anderson says there are some MNSCU board members who want him removed. The board held an emergency, closed-door meeting today discuss Anderson's future, but made no decisions.
August 6, 1999 - A reorganized district administration has begun its task of improving Saint Paul public schools. Superintendent Patricia Harvey has promised big reforms in the district and says the new leadership team will help her make the changes. The new administrators began their jobs this week and were echoing their boss's goal of raising student achievement.
July 29, 1999 - Minneapolis school officials say they're hoping the district's largest ever summer school will also be the most successful. They won't know for sure until test scores are tallied this fall. Summer school classes ended today for many Minnesota schools.
July 23, 1999 - The Department of Children, Families and Learning is offering school districts a way to get around the requirements of the Profile of Learning, but so far there are few takers. The state's top education official says the lack of interest might mean schools are learning to live with the complex system of graduation standards.
July 13, 1999 - The Saint Paul school district's new leader is shaking up her administration and turning up the heat on schools to perform. Superintendent Pat Harvey says the reorganization will get her closer to the schools and better define the lines of accountability. By summer's end, she also plans to place the district's lowest performing schools on notice that test scores and attendance must improve.
July 1, 1999 - The Minnesota Zoo has announced plans to build a four and a half million dollar exhibit honoring the family farm. Zoo officials say the farm will help city kids better understand the importance of agriculture. Critics say it looks like another money-losing venture for the state facility.
June 15, 1999 - Classes have ended for the year at Saint Paul's New Arrivals School...and the program for homeless and foster children might not return in the fall. District administrators, forced to make millions of dollars in spending cuts, eliminated funding for several programs next year including New Arrivals School. But they say those students will still get the help they need.
June 10, 1999 - University of Minnesota officials aren't commenting on the possible buyout of men's basketball coach Clem Haskins' contract. Haskin's program has been under fire since academic fraud allegations surfaced in March, and published reports say talks are underway to negotiate the coach's departure.
June 9, 1999 - High school seniors are marking the end of a school year filled with hard choices and traditional pressures. At graduation, these young people either have their plans in place or remain undecided about what's next. But they are ALL thinking hard about leaving familiar surroundings and facing an uncertain future. Saint Paul's Johnson High is among the schools holding commencement exercises tonight, and Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire talked with members of the class of 1999.
June 8, 1999 - State education officials say they're encouraged by third and fifth grade test scores in reading, math and writing. Second-year results of the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment tests, showed gains in both grades. Despite the improvements, education leaders say it's still too soon to draw conclusions from the scores.