Education News: February 25-March 2, 2012
The biggest news this week was the February Forecast and the announcement of a
$323 million surplus. Of the $323 million, the first $5 million will go to the budget reserve to bring it to its statutorily designated level of $653 million. The remaining $318 million will go toward beginning to pay back the education aid payment shift. During a recent House Education Finance hearing, staff noted that the payment represents about 11% of the obligation owed to our schools. Rep. Mindy Greiling further noted that if you include the special education cross-subsidy, currently about $700 million, the state’s obligation to school districts rises to $3.1 billion or $3,100 per pupil. At the legislature, two important AMSD bills, the extension of the use of prone restraint and a bill that would local districts set their own school calendar advanced.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
- Teen Charged as Juvenile in Ohio School Shooting, Education Week
MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE, STATE POLICIES AND MINNESOTA NEWS
- Dayton calls bill taking seniority out of teacher layoffs an “election ploy,” Pioneer Press
- Give Legacy Amendment money to schools, Pioneer Press
- Minnesota’s integration program supported by religious leaders, Pioneer Press
- With budget surplus, state could remit payment to schools, Minnesota Public Radio
- February Forecast 2012, AMSD
NATIONAL NEWS
- Rebranding teachers, Minnesota Public Radio
- At long last, Michelle Rhee’s funders revealed, Minnpost
- 26 States Plus D.C. Apply for NCLB Waivers in Second Round, Education Week
RESEARCH & REPORTS
- Prinicpal Turnover Bodes Poorly for Schools, Education Week
- Colleges Err in Placing Many on Remedial Track, NY Times
- Parents Have Mixed Views on Teacher Rankings, NY TImes