Education News: April 14-20, 2012
The legislature returned from Easter/Passover break on Monday and was quick to start back at work. The Integration Revenue Replacement Task Force report was heard in the House Education Finance committee on Monday, April 16. The committee heard testimony from Scott Thomas, Integration Revenue Replacement Advisory Task Force Co-Chair and Integration and Education Equity Coordinator for the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District and Peter Swanson, Integration Revenue Replacement Advisory Task Force Co-Chair and attorney. Thomas reviewed the task force process and gave an overview of the report and Swanson commented on his opposition to the report. The co-chairs responded to questions and gave clarifications on the specifics and intentions of the report. The committee did not take action on HF 2840 (Mariani) and testimony was restricted to the task force co-chairs.
The conference committee on HF 2949 (omnibus education bill) began meeting this week. On Thursday, the committee released a delete-all A12 amendment that reflected an attempt to address the Department of Education’s concerns. The Commissioner testified on the new language and pointed out continued areas of concern. The committee returned today with an agreement with the Commissioner and finalized the conference committee report. AMSD has summarized the report with amendments here: http://www.amsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/HF-2949-and-SF-2482-with-amendments-42012.pdf
The conference committees on HF 2244 (permanent school fund) and SF 1528 (online learning) have also been meeting this week. AMSD has developed a contact sheet for members of these active education conference committees here:
http://www.amsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Education-Conference-Committees-20121.pdf
MINNESOTA NEWS
- With a small fix, Minnesota can cultivate dynamic principals, Minnpost
- Fate of Minnesota schools’ integration aid hangs in limbo, Star Tribune
- The Stretch Run: looking at education bills in the Legislature, Minnpost
- Board OKs Mpls. teachers contract that adds four days to school year, Star Tribune
- Teachers hope to boost test scores with fresh air, food, mints, Minnesota Public Radio
- State task force on prevention of school bullying meets with Bemidji students, parents, educators, Bemidji Pioneer
- Bills look at how schools can capitalize on trust land, St. Cloud Times
- Stop blaming teachers, Star Tribune
- Minnesota rethinking MCA math-test do-overs, Pioneer Press
- Shorter school year? Burnsville-Eagan-Savage parents not so sure, Pioneer Press
NATIONAL NEWS
- Controversial Policy Group Casts Long K-12 Shadow, Education Week
- Call to States: Revolutionize Teacher and Principal Preparation, Education Week
PEOPLE
RESEARCH AND REPORTS
- Study: Shorter school weeks don’t mean longer vacations, Minnesota Public Radio
- Study Links Zoning to Education Disparities, Education Week
Technology and Innovation
- Flattening the School Walls, Education Week
- Obama Administration Seeks to Remake Career-Tech Programs, Education Week