November 6, 1998 - The election of Jesse Ventura as Governor will have an impact on the school segregation debate that's been brewing in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The Minneapolis N-double-A-C-P is suing the state, claiming segregated schools are shortchanging students. The state meanwhile is trying to end mandatory desegregation rules for school districts. Ventura supports mediation in the lawsuit, but he also supports neighborhood schools and an end to forced busing. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... The Minneapolis chapter of the NAACP claims the state has denied Minneapolis public school students--especially poor and minority students --their constitutional right to an adequate education because of low funding and racial segregation. The Saint Paul school district has its own
November 5, 1998 - Tuesday's election results mean big changes ahead in state government, and education could be a key test for the new administration. School choice advocates say they don't expect any support from Reform Party Governor Jesse Ventura...but a Republican House should help keep their reforms in place. Teachers say they're counting on one of their own, Ventura's lieutenant governor Mae Schunk, to help address their issues. Schunk, a veteran teacher who's never held elected office, is promising to do good things for public schools. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... (Sound of cheering)
October 30, 1998 - An MPR Special, presenting various reports on the major issues in this year's Gubernatorial campaign: taxes, education, crime, housing and agriculture. Program includes interviews and speech excerpts.
October 6, 1998 - Lawyers for the Minneapolis NAACP were in court today seeking class action status for their education lawsuit against the state. They say the move is appropriate because the state's largest school district is short-changing most of its students. The state argues most families are satisfied with education opportunities in Minneapolis schools.
October 5, 1998 - The DFL and Republican candidates for governor are trading accusations over private school vouchers. DFLer Skip Humphrey says Republican Norm Coleman is trying to hide his plans to siphon off public money to private schools through--what he calls -- a "voucher scheme." Coleman says Humphrey is ignoring his real position in to gain political mileage.
October 2, 1998 - A panel of the Minnesota State High School League is warning coaches not to advocate use of the popular dietary-supplement Creatine. Baseball slugger Mark McGwire uses the product and it's showing up more frequently in high school locker rooms. But there are concerns about its long-term effects. The league's medical advisory board yesterday presented its findings on the product and developed position statement discouraging its use.
September 9, 1998 - (For Wed. M.E.) The year-round school movement is picking up speed in Saint Paul. Saint Paul and five suburban districts opened a new year-round middle school yesterday. Most of the students came from two existing year-round elementary schools. Another year-round elementary is scheduled to open in Saint Paul next fall. Parents are pushing for the schools because they say they're convinced the alternative calendar means better education for their children. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... Students at Interdistrict Middle School take turns climbing a step ladder to pour cups of various-sized rocks into a long plastic tube. When it's finished, the tube will decorate the school hallways. Teacher Ron Schl
September 4, 1998 - MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports that authorities in St. Paul say they were long aware of domestic problems at the apartment where six children were apparently killed by their mother. But Chief William Finney says there was never any indication the three boys and three girls were in danger. Police arrested the 24-year-old mother after responding to her frantic call for help.
September 2, 1998 - (For Wed. M.E.) As Most Minnesota school districts return to classes today an entirely new system for teaching and learning goes into effect. New state graduation standards stressing learning-by-doing are now in place. This year's 9th graders will be the first students to earn their diplomas under the high standards, known as "The Profile of Learning." Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... The Minnesota Board of Education gave final approval last spring to the key piece of its statewide graduation rules. The Profile of Learning goes beyond the basic-skills graduation requirements in reading and math and pushes students to higher academic achievement in ten broad learning areas.
September 1, 1998 - (For Tuesday M.E.) The state's two teachers unions have accomplished what their national organization could not: a merger. The Minnesota Education Association and the Minnesota Federation of Teachers officially become one today. The new organization is called "Education Minnesota." Union leaders say ending their competition over who'll represent which teachers means more time to focus on teaching students. But opponents say the merger is mainly a political move. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... (Sound) In the Education Building at the Minnesota Sta