March 12, 1998 - University of Minnesota officials are waiting for the dust to settle at the state capitol to see how much money is coming the U's way. The university's mammoth $249-million request for building construction and program improvements suffered setbacks this week in the House and Senate. The reductions disappoint university President Mark Yudoff, who warns the fight is not over. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
March 11, 1998 - If you don't pay you don't play. That's the message Minnesota home schoolers say they've been getting from public schools when they try to enroll their kids in school-run sports programs. The K-12 funding bills approved by the House and Senate include requirements that schools charge the same price for home schoolers as enrolled students to participate in sports and other extra curricular activities. However, some home schoolers are worried this might actually reduce access for their children. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
March 6, 1998 - The Minnesota House of Representatives has voted to slow the implementation of new graduation stadards for public schools. The delay is a compromise aimed at heading off attempts to drop the so-called "Profile of Learning" standards, scheduled to take effect this fall. State education officials say schools could get more time to prepare, but the new academic requirements won't go away. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
February 27, 1998 - Minnesota convicts are about to make a six million dollar difference in the state's schools by breaking up old computers. Inmates at the state prisons in Lino Lakes and Stillwater are cannibalising, rebuilding and upgrading thousands of used, computers which will end up at schools throughout Minnesota. Statewide, there are now about seven students for each computer in the schools. Organizers of the Computers For Schools project say they hope to lower that ratio to five to one. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... 4197 (Sound) A remodeled industrial classroom at the Minnesota Correctional Faci
February 26, 1998 - (Thursday 2/26 M.E.) A new era in statewide testing begins today at schools throughout Minnesota. Three weeks ago, all 8th grade students in public schools took the state's basic skills tests in reading and math. Now state officials are conducting first-time tests to see how well third and fifth grade students are doing. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... State education officials say the new tests for third and fifth grade students, called the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments, should not be confused with the 8th grade basic skills tests. The 8th grade tests measure literacy and whether students have yet learned the min
February 24, 1998 - The NAACP's legal fight to improve Minneapolis public schools is expanding. The organization filed its second lawsuit in the past two and a half years aimed at forcing changes in the state's largest urban district. The lawsuit comes as NAACP plan to demonstrate their concerns before the Minneapolis school board. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
February 4, 1998 - Governor Carlson made a case to legislators today to upgrade the state's colleges and universities, and build boarding schools for troubled youth. The Republican Governor devoted a large part of his final state of the state address to education issues. Carlson also reflected on his education accomplishments of past seven years, warning lawmakers not to tinker with the reforms. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... Governor Carlson used the state of the state speech to push for the multi-million dollar request for higher education in the state bonding bill. He wants 252-million dollars for the University of Minnesota and 167-million dollars for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
February 3, 1998 - Governor Arne Carlson delivers his 8th and final State of the State address tomorrow (Wednesday). He has touched on a lot of themes in those speeches.... but perhaps the most constant theme has been education This year Carlson is proposing 252-million dollars for construction at the University of Minnesota and 168-million for the state colleges and universities system. He's expected to dwell on how Minnesota's colleges and universities can help prepare students to fill gaps in the states workforce, and on his proposal for boarding schools to help troubled youth. Some observers say it's the Republican Governor's last effort to leave an education legacy... But for many, that legacy is already in place. Carlson's big education battles are behind him, and the state's public education system has changed substancially since 1991. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports...
February 2, 1998 - Many Minnesota 8th graders have been hitting the books hard in the last few weeks, preparing for statewide reading and math tests which start tomorrow. This is the first year every school in the state has to participate. Last year, about one third of all tested students failed, prompting a public outcry and pushing school districts to make changes. This year there's tremendous pressure for students and schools to perform well, but some are still questioning the value of the tests. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire checked in at one Minneapolis school where preparations are continuing at a furious pace.
January 27, 1998 - Asian students studying in Minnesota are facing an educational crisis as a result of the economic turmoil in South Korea, Indonesia, and other countries. Plunging currencies overseas mean many students cannot pay their bills here and some Asian students are dropping out. Others are desperately seeking ways to stay and the University of Minnesota is trying to help. Minnesota Publuc Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.