Education

Alpha Phi Alpha takes on climate change and energy efficiency

Thursday, 22 April 2010 12:32 Sunny

Partnership with Environmental Defense Fund will nurture environmental leaders, green campuses

WASHINGTON, DC - Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the nation's oldest Black fraternity, and Environmental Defense Fund are launching a transformational partnership to increase the number of diverse environmental leaders on university and college campuses and in communities of color. The Alpha and EDF partnership will educate the fraternity's student and alumni chapters about climate change, environmental justice, energy efficiency, clean energy and green jobs. Sustainability projects designed by students and alumni will help African American and other populations become more involved in public health and environmental issues caused by air and water pollution and social inequity.

Minneapolis leaders to become principals for a day

Tuesday, 20 April 2010 12:39

MINNEAPOLIS – The Minneapolis Public Schools this week will host nearly 40 local business, community and government leaders at the Principal for a Day event. Participants will shadow principals at individual schools and participate in activities such as reading with students, making morning announcements, meeting with staff members and families and visiting classrooms.

Edison student Jasmine Caldwell “Beat the Odds”

Friday, 16 April 2010 13:56

Jasmine “Jazz” Caldwell, a senior at Edison High School, was among four teens recognized by Children's Defense Fund (CDF)-Minnesota for succeeding in school and life after overcoming extreme adversity. Also selected as award winners were Brian Anderson of South St. Paul High School, Amanda Kelley of Johnson Senior High School and Kristal Vang of Harding High School in St. Paul. The four students were chosen from among almost one hundred applicants across the Twin Cities and received $4,000 scholarship awards.

Bill Green explains MPS contract impasse

Friday, 16 April 2010 13:52 Bill Green  Superintendent of Schools

This letter, which is going out to all district parents, is intended to be the first of several communications to keep you apprised of the changes we propose to make to advance and improve the district for the benefit of students and the community as a whole.   We have spent many months at the bargaining table with the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers (MFT) talking through issues related to raising academic achievement for our students and creating the changes we need in our system. Unfortunately, we have been unable to reach a final agreement with MFT on the July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2011 contract. This is despite our best efforts to reach an agreement that would enable us to make next year the most successful year yet for your students.  I am writing to you now to outline the changes the Board of Education and I believe we need to make in order to better educate our students to achieve academic excellence. Simply stated, we are trying to put in place three major priorities:

Scholarship Service and Step

Friday, 16 April 2010 12:52 Maya Beecham

A total of 34,000 students are educated within the Minneapolis Public School District. Seventy percent are students of color. James C. Burroughs II and staff in the Office of Equity and Diversity within Minneapolis Public Schools, view diversity, equity and respect as key factors in gauging the successful education and guidance of students. From April 13 through April 24, 2010, the Office of Equity and Diversity in partnership with key community stakeholders, has been hosting Scholarship Service and Step Week; a series of events exposing students to the benefits of post secondary education, successful career paths, and service to community. The ultimate goal is to propel the next generation of leaders into positive leadership, and to support 100 Strong Who Care – Building Bridges for the Next Generation, an initiative that matches professionals with students through service-learning events at Minneapolis Public Schools.

New policy boosts students in need, HBCUs

Friday, 09 April 2010 12:27

Special to the NNPA from the Afro American Newspapers

WASHINGTON (NNPA) - With the signing of yet another historical piece of legislation, President Obama made good on his promise to make higher education more affordable and accessible for all Americans.

The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, enacted on March 30, strengthens the Pell Grant program, invests in community colleges, extends support for historically Black colleges and other minority-serving institutions, and helps student borrowers manage their student loan debt by capping repayments at 10 percent of their discretionary income. These efforts will be fully paid for by ending the government subsidies currently given to banks and other financial institutions that make guaranteed federal student loans. 

“By removing the bank’s middle men and eliminating millions of dollars in annual subsidies we are able to ensure that students have a more competitive and robust program for entering colleges and leaving them and going on to jobs not burdened so heavily by additional loans,” said Melody Barnes, director of the White House Domestic Policy Council.

Minneapolis Urban League’s PROJECT READY hosts Annual Historically Black College Tour

Friday, 02 April 2010 13:56

Helping at-risk youth—for whom college often is not a consideration—realize their dream of going to college and having the doors of opportunity open for them is the main reason the Minneapolis Urban League has been hosting its Historically Black College Tour for more than two decades. Since its inception in the 1980s, more than 600 students have participated in the tour.