Education

Minnesotans want responsible budget that provides for broad prosperity

Friday, 07 December 2012 10:35

TakeAction Minnesota released the following statement on the heels of the state budget forecast released on December 5:

Minneapolis Indian Education Association names Danielle Grant as Outstanding American Indian Administrator

Friday, 07 December 2012 10:00

Danielle Grant, director of the Indian Education Department at Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), on October 16 was recognized as one of three Outstanding American Indian Administrators by the Minnesota Indian Education Association (MIEA) at the organization’s annual conference.

Twin Cities area most regressive in educating children of color

Friday, 07 December 2012 09:52 Harry Colbert, Jr.

In an area that is generally considered one of the more progressive in the nation, when it comes to educating children of color, the Twin Cites is among the most regressive.

Speaking up for and demanding full-day kindergarten

Wednesday, 05 December 2012 10:47 Marian Wright Edelman

About four million American children celebrated a very big milestone this fall—their first day of kindergarten. Far too many were already a step or more behind their peers. If we want all of our children to be school-ready so that they can become college, career, and workforce-ready, it's long past time to offer universal quality prekindergarten followed by universal full-day kindergarten in the United States.

Study shows positive momentum for Improvement Grant schools

Friday, 30 November 2012 12:25

The U.S. Department of Education last week released an early snapshot of student performance data at schools that have received federal School Improvement Grants (SIG) program funds, a key component of the Department's blueprint for helping states and districts turn around the nation's lowest-performing schools.

States report new high school graduation rates using more accurate, common measure

Friday, 30 November 2012 11:35

The U.S. Department of Education released data detailing state four-year high school graduation rates in 2010-11 – the first year for which all states used a common, rigorous measure. The varying methods formerly used by states to report graduation rates made comparisons between states unreliable, while the new, common metric can be used by states, districts and schools to promote greater accountability and to develop strategies that will reduce dropout rates and increase graduation rates in schools nationwide.

MPS embraces students’ Somali heritage with new class offerings

Friday, 30 November 2012 10:28

Minneapolis Public Schools may very well be the first school district in the nation to offer Somali language classes to high school students. At South High School, where MPS’ Somali classes are offered, nearly 60 students are registered in two class periods, one that focuses on Somali language and another on culture. “Somali language is an important element of one’s identity,” said Dahir Hassan, Somali language and heritage teacher at South. “If you don’t speak the language, it is hard to claim that identity.”