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
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 15, 1998 - The government watchdog group Common Cause Minnesota says conflict of interest allegations against a state senator point out why lawmakers should disclose how they make their money. A Senate ethics panel this week will look into a controversial consulting fee the University of Minnesota paid to D-F-Ler Dallas Sams of Staples. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... The non-partisan group Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility raised questions last month about a consulting fee paid indirectly from the Univeristy of Minnesota to D-F-L State Senator Dallas Sams. The group says the 12-thousand-five-hundred dollar payment has the appearance of a kickback. Now, Common Cause Minnesota says the allegations underscore the ne
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 10, 1998 - An advisory panel is expected to tell lawmakers today to scale back the state's high school graduation requirements. The committee of educators and business people has been studying ways to imrpove the controversial "Profile of Learning"...and subjects like art, music and physical education might not make the cut. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire... The state's plan for helping Minnesota students succeed after high school was simple: set up statewide testing to make sure students were learning the basic skills...then create a system to measure how well students could demonstrate what they've learned. These higher standards, known as the Profile of Learning, ignited a firestorm of controversy. Complaints range from
December 4, 1998 - Governor-elect Jesse Ventura's visited the University of Minnesota and the offices of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. While talking to U of M administrators about his preparation for taking office, Ventura acknowledged college students played a big part in the Reform Party candidate's election.
November 26, 1998 - The Saint Paul School District has begun testing all kindergarten and second grade students for possible inclusion in gifted and talented programs. The new system uses classroom observation, rather than a written test, to identify students. District officials say they hope the changes will bring more minority and low income children into the accelerated learning programs. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... (Sound) In an algebra class at Saint Paul's Capitol Hill Magnet School, 6th and 5th grade students and their teacher are discussing how to use mean, median and mode to ananlyze statistics. These elementary students are already working on material designed for 8th and 9th graders, and they're devouring it. Sixth
November 18, 1998 - The interim chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is getting a big raise and some added job security. The MnSCU board voted today (Wednesday) to offer a new contract to Morrie Anderson, who's served as chancellor for 15 months. MnSCU officials hope the move pays off in the legislature as they seek a big funding increase. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... Morrie Anderson took over as head of the newly merged system of state universities, technical colleges and community colleges in July 1997. He replaced Judith Eaton, who resigned after getting on the wrong side of many legislators. Anderson served as Governor Carlson's chief of staff, and his state capitol know-how, helped repair a lot of the damage. Mn
November 13, 1998 - The University of Minnesota is honoring the man many call the state's greatest hockey player. John Mayasich played hockey for the Golden Gophers from 1951 to 1955, and the records he set still stand. The U of M retires his number 8 jersey Saturday night. It's the first retired number in the 77-year history of Gopher hockey. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... (Sound) On the ice of Mariucci Arena, Coach Doug Woog leads his team through an afternoon practice, preparing for a weekend series against North Dakota. Woog was a big Gopher hockey fan as a young boy. He later played for the team and has been head coach since 1985. Woog has seen most of greats o
November 10, 1998 - The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system will ask the legislature for an 18.4-percent budget increase. The University of Minnesota is seeking a similar funding boost. Both systems have been able to get most of what they've wanted from the state capitol in the past year including record amounts of bonding money. But changes in the governor's office and legislature means less certainty for higher education funding. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... Minnesota State Colleges and Universities officials say they need the 231-million dollar budget increase for computer technology, building repairs and new programs and partnerships. About one-fourth of the new money would