Education News: February 11-17, 2012
This week Governor Dayton gave his State of the State Address and in his speech told lawmakers “The key to our future, as we all know, is education.” He cited alternative licensure, the expansion of early childhood education, principal and teacher evaluation, the per-pupil $50 increase and the enactment of the reading by third grade initiative as successful education policy and funding reforms from the 2011 session. He praised the efforts of Commissioner Cassellius and the legislature on receiving the No Child Left Behind Waiver and Race to the Top award. The Governor concluded his education remarks with a warning to legislators, “The best education for all Minnesota students should not be a political ploy; and I will not support anything, which is.”
Health and Safety
- Students rally for stronger bullying protections, Minnesota Public Radio
Minnesota Legislature, State Policies and Minnesota News
- Editorial: Scrap seniority-only teacher tenure law, Star Tribune
- Duluth School Board considers range of possible budget cuts, Duluth News Tribune
- House passes teacher skills bill 132-0, Pioneer Press
- House passes GOP’s ‘teacher test’ bill, Minnpost
- Governor Dayton’s State of the State Address, Office of the Governor
- Governor encourages Minn. business to adopt a school, take more active role in educating youth, Star Tribune
National News
- A Last-Minute Deal on Teacher Evaluations, New York Times
- Federal Role in K-12 at Heart of ESEA Hearing, Education Week
Research & Reports
- Editorial: A positive grade for integration aid plan, Star Tribune
- Task force recommends greater oversight, guidance for school integration efforts, Minnesota Public Radio
- House GOP lawmakers push plan to update ed law, Minnesota Public Radio
- ‘Value Added’ Concept Proves Beneficial to Teacher Colleges, Education Week
Technology and Innovation
- Rethinking Testing in the Age of the iPad, Education Week