Press ReleasesAbout MDE : Minnesota Department of Education

Press Releases

Press Releases

The latest news on Minnesota education policies, initiatives and outcomes, including No Child Left Behind , Q Comp quality compensation for teachers, Get Ready-Get Credit and other programs that help our state lead the nation in public education.

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Grad Rule changes proposed for special circumstances  194Kb (7/24/08)
     Jul 24 08 - public may request hearing
Mankato-area Teacher Center launched  220Kb (7/14/08)
     Jul 9 08 - Participants will learn strategies that will improve learning for all students
Thief River Falls/Bemidji-area Teacher Center launched  221Kb (7/10/08)
     Jul 8 08 - a result of Governor Pawlenty's efforts to improve teacher effectiveness
2008 MCA-II Results Up Slightly  198Kb (6/30/08)
     Biggest gain: Nine percent increase in 10th-grade reading scores.
Nearly 90 percent of Minnesota 9th-graders pass graduation writing test  206Kb (6/17/08)
     Jun 17 08 - measures basic writing skills
Minnesota Scholars of Distinction awards announced  227Kb (6/16/08)
     Jun 16 08 - Twenty-seven students recognized for depth of knowledge and level of achievement
84 Year Old Survivor Receives Honorary Lifetime Teaching License
     Persevering through years in a Russian Prison Camp, family members lost to Nazi concentration camps, an amazing journey to eventual freedom in the U.S and finally to this day of achieving one more long-held dream...
75 Percent of State's 10th Graders Meet New Graduation Reading Requirement  131Kb (6/9/08)
     Percent of Minnesota 10th-Graders Proficient in Reading Increases Dramatically in 2008
Nearly 185,000 Minnesota students successfully take new online science assessment  216Kb (6/3/08)
     Jun 3 08 - state's first major computer administered assessment
Minnesota launches Math and Science Teacher Academy  215Kb (5/28/08)
     May 28 08 - focus on improving mathematics and science instruction and learning through ongoing, quality professional development
Chisago Lakes enters Q Comp program  248Kb (5/21/08)
     May 21 08 - 40th district to enter professional development and achievement-based pay program
Paideia Academy enters Q Comp  226Kb (5/12/08)
     May 12 08 - 22nd charter school enters professional development and achievement-based pay program
Minnesota ranks 5th in school choice options for students  197Kb (4/30/08)
     Apr 30 08 - Heartland Institute notes state's commitment to educational choice
Summit to promote afterschool activities  185Kb (4/30/08)
     Apr 30 08 - Gov. Pawlenty to speak at event promoting high-quality learning opportunities for Minnesota students
Minnesota NAEP writing scores increase  219Kb (4/3/08)
     Apr 3 08 - results highlight need to increase rigor
Study finds majority of Minn. five-year-olds prepared for kindergarten  207Kb (4/2/08)
     Apr 4 08 - need for continued efforts to support at-risk children
Department of Education Releases Report on the Choice is Yours Program  201Kb (3/3/08)
     School choice program exceeds participation goal.
Birch Grove Community School enters Q Comp  220Kb (2/4/08)
     Feb 4 08 - 21st charter school enters professional development and achievement-based pay system
Hold Placed On Westland Hallmark Meat Company Beef  189Kb (1/31/08)
     Statement from Education Commissioner Alice Seagren
Summer Food Service Program simplified  181Kb (1/28/08)
     Jan 28 08 - MDE seeks additional sponsors for summer nutrition program
Department of Education releases Statutory Operating Debt report  181Kb (1/16/08)
     Jan 16 08 - 24 districts, charter schools under designation
MNParentsKnow Website expands  208Kb (1/15/08)
     Jan 15 08 - now offers information for parents with children from birth through age five
Seven Hills Classical Academy enters Q Comp  232Kb (1/11/08)
     Jan 11 08 - 20th charter school to enter professional development and achievement-based pay system
Academy for Science, Agriculture enters Q Comp  223Kb (1/7/08)
     Jan 7 08 - 19th charter school to enter professional development and achievement-based pay system
Regional summits to promote STEM education opportunities  191Kb (1/3/08)
     Jan 3 08 - MDE, Minnesota High Tech Association sponsor interactive events on science, technology, engineering and math opportunities
State Releases 2007 Minnesota Student Survey Data  186Kb (12/19/07)
     Survey results and trend data collected on a voluntary and anonymous basis from Minnesota 6th, 9th and 12th grade students
Princeton School District enters Q Comp program  225Kb (12/6/07)
     Dec 6 07 - will receive $917,800 to implement professional development and achievement-based pay system
Hope Community Academy enters Q Comp program  219Kb (11/30/07)
     18th charter school to enter professional development and achievement-based pay system
Special education proposed law changes to be presented at public hearing  204Kb (11/27/07)
     Nov 27 07 - hearing at MDE December 3, 2007
Students across Minnesota offered additional learning opportunities outside the classroom  217Kb (11/27/07)  752Kb (11/27/07)
     Nov 27 07 - $5.3 million to 21 After-School Community Learning grantees
Department of Education approves $2 million in International Baccalaureate grants to six districts  183Kb (11/19/07)
     Nov 19 07 - to increase student achievement, prepare students for postsecondary education
Lake International Language Academy enters Q Comp program  227Kb (11/13/07)
     Nov 13 07 - 17th charter school to enter professional development and achievement-based pay program
Brooklyn Center School District enters Q Comp program  221Kb (11/7/07)
     Nov 7 07 - will receive $443,300 to implement teacher professional development and achievement-based pay system
World language programs and teacher development grow  210Kb (11/5/07)
     Nov 5 07 - five schools receive $500,000 for high-quality model world language opportunities
Minneapolis' Green Central Park School enters Q Comp program  230Kb (11/2/07)
     Nov 2 07 - to receive $148,720 for professional development and achievement-based pay program
Minneapolis' Jefferson School enters Q Comp program  229Kb (11/2/07)
     Nov 2 07 - to receive $156,780 for professional development and achievement-based pay program
Minneapolis' Loring School enters Q Comp program  229Kb (11/2/07)
     Nov 2 07 - to receive $83,460 for professional development and achievement-based pay program
Minneapolis' Nellie Stone Johnson School enters Q Comp program  230Kb (11/2/07)
     Nov 2 07 - to receive $130,000 for professional development and achievement-based pay program
Minneapolis' Anne Sullivan Center enters Q Comp program  230Kb (11/2/07)
     Nov 2 07 - to receive $189,800 for professional development and achievement-based pay program
Minneapolis' Cityview Performing Arts Magnet enters Q Comp program  231Kb (11/2/07)
     Nov 2 07 - to receive $140,400 for professional development and achievement-based pay program
Department of Education releases Education Planning and Assessment (EPAS) data  222Kb (10/22/07)
     Oct 22 07 - Results highlight the need for rigorous coursework
Department of Education Approves Eleven New Charter Schools  185Kb (10/5/07)
     October 2, 2007 - 158 charter schools now approved to operate in Minnesota
2007 Results on National Assessment of Educational Progress  232Kb (9/25/07)
     Results show closing achievement gap; Minnesota students surpass national average in math and reading
Q Comp program continues to grow  232Kb (9/10/07)
     Sep 10 07 - Forest Lake Area School District becomes 38th district to undertake professional development and achievement-based pay system
Education Department Releases Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Data  28Kb (8/31/07)
     Of 1,918 Minnesota schools earning an AYP status, including charter schools and alternative learning programs, 1,189 achieved AYP while 729 did not.
Minnesota Advanced Placement(AP) Scores, Participation Increase  219Kb (8/28/07)
     17 percent increase in number of Minnesota students taking (AP) tests and 13 percent increase in the number of students scoring a “3” or higher on their exams.
State Fair Booth to Focus on Preparing Students for Success in the 21st Century  184Kb (8/24/07)
     Department of Education Booth Activity Schedule for State Fair
Minnesota Students Lead Nation in ACT Scores  150Kb (8/15/07)
     Data highlight importance of efforts to increase rigorous course taking
2007 MCA-II Test Scores Hold Steady  364Kb (7/29/07)
     Jul 29 07 - Education commissioner underscores need to continue reforms to prepare every student for success after high school
Minnesota Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped adopts a new name  198Kb (7/17/07)
     Jul 17 07 - to become Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library, continue services to state
Orono school district enters Q Comp program  231Kb (7/9/07)
     Jul 9 07 - 37th district to undertake professional development and achievement-based pay program
More than 90 percent pass state writing tests  221Kb (6/26/07)
     Jun 26 07 - vast majority of 9th, 10th graders meet state requirements
Minn. Scholars of Distinction Awards announced  212Kb (5/24/07)
     May 24 07 - 38 students honored for depth of knowledge, skill in application
Q Comp program continues to grow  221Kb (5/24/07)
     May 24 07 - Hmong Academy becomes 16th charter to undertake professional development and achievement-based teacher pay plan
Launch of New Website-MNParentsKnow.info  213Kb (5/17/07)
     May 17 07 - MNParentsKnow.info was developed as part of the Educate Parents Partnership, an initiative of Governor Tim Pawlenty
Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school district enters Q Comp program  238Kb (5/15/07)
     May 15 07 - 35th district to undertake professional development and achievement-based pay system
School readiness study shows progress  212Kb (4/24/07)
     Apr 24 07 - Gov. Pawlenty targets at-risk students with $4,000 scholarships
Governor's Council Charts Course for Student Success  233Kb (4/10/07)
     Apr 10 07 - Minnesota Department of Education releases report setting benchmarks, goals
Minnesota education leaders recommend changes to No Child Left Behind  226Kb (3/26/07)
     Mar 26 07 - flexibility needed to improve student achievement, close achievement gap
Three Roseville schools enter Q Comp program  233Kb (3/5/07)
     Mar 5 07 - Williams, Central Park, Falcon Heights join nation-leading performance and professional pay program
NAEP study highlights the benefit of increased rigor in high school  237Kb (2/22/07)
     Feb 22 07 - Gov. Pawlenty's "3R" High Schools initiative would increase rigor
Department of Education awards mathematics and science partnership grants  115Kb (2/12/07)
     Feb 12 07 - $4.2 million in grants fit well with Gov. Pawlenty's STEM initiatives
Summer food service program fills gap for students  87Kb (2/8/07)
     Feb 8 07 - opportunities for schools, community organizations to sponsor USDA summer food program
Minnesota establishes the world's first global engineering education program  118Kb (2/8/07)
     Feb 8 07 - partnership with University of Minnesota, Massachusetts global software company PTC; advances Gov. Pawlenty's STEM initiative
Department of Education releases report on The Choice is Yours program  234Kb (2/7/07)
     Feb 6 07 - report finds that satisfaction with the program remains high
Department of Education releases Mandarin Chinese report to Legislature  226Kb (2/5/07)
     Feb 5 07 - Gov. Pawlenty has led state efforts to bring Mandarin Chinese language classes to Minnesota schools
Minnesota school district statutory operating debt drops to lowest level in eight years  207Kb (1/30/07)
     Jan 30 07 - fourteen districts, charter schools out of statutory operating debt last year
Q Comp program continues to grow  218Kb (1/26/07)
     Jan 26 07 - Crosslake Community School is 15th charter school in professional development and performance pay plan
E.C.H.O. Charter School joins Q Comp  218Kb (1/26/07)
     Jan 26 07 - 14th charter school in professional development and performance pay plan
Grants awarded to charter schools to improve student learning  207Kb (1/25/07)
     Jan 25 07 - $8.5 million to 19 charter schools for facilities improvement
Ridgeway Community School enters Q Comp program  223Kb (1/19/07)
     Jan 19 07 - 13th charter school undertakes professional development and achievement-based pay plan for teachers
Public library accessibility and construction grant - West St. Paul  201Kb (1/4/07)
     Jan 3 07
Public library accessibility and construction grant - Gaylord  201Kb (1/4/07)
     Jan 3 07
Public library accessibility and construction grant - Spicer  200Kb (1/4/07)
     Jan 3 07
Public library accessibility and construction grant - New Prague  202Kb (1/4/07)
     Jan 3 07
Public library accessibility and construction grant - Sleepy Eye  200Kb (1/4/07)
     Jan 3 07
Q Comp program continues to grow  62Kb (12/8/06)
     Dec 7 06 - Farmington becomes 34th district approved
Tarek ibn Ziyad Charter School enters teacher performance pay program  63Kb (12/7/06)
     Dec 7 06 - 12th charter school to undertake nation-leading professional development and achievement-based pay plan for teachers
Minnesota Senate Youth Program delegates named  41Kb (12/7/06)
     Dec 7 06 - delegates receive trip to Washington, D.C. and $5,000 scholarship
Department of Education announces efforts to help schools achieve Adequate Yearly Progress  51Kb (12/6/06)
     Dec 6 06 - local and regional support to help more schools meet No Child Left Behind requirements
Advanced Placement grants awarded to outstanding schools  47Kb (11/27/06)
     Nov 27 06 - 14 schools draw on $1 million under Gov. Pawlenty's Get Ready, Get Credit program
Department Seeks Public Comment On Draft Math Standards Revision  59Kb (11/17/06)
     Includes schedule of Town Hall Meetings to take place around the state
New MCA-II Assessment and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Data Results  55Kb (11/15/06)
     New tests raise the bar in order to improve student achievement
South Washington County Opts for Q Comp  69Kb (11/14/06)
     32nd District in Minnesota Joins Fast Growing Trend
New Visions Charter School enters teacher performance pay program  54Kb (11/14/06)
     Nov 14 06 - 11th charter to implement nation-leading Q Comp program
Brandon school district enters Q Comp program  57Kb (11/9/06)
     Nov 3 06 - 31st district to get over $82,000 for nation-leading performance and professional pay program
TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Approved for Q Comp  68Kb (11/9/06)
     First Online High School in state to Receive Q Comp Funding
Emily Charter School enters teacher performance pay program  64Kb (11/2/06)
     Nov 2 06 - 9th charter to implement nation-leading education reform program
Pine River-Backus school district enters Q Comp program  71Kb (11/2/06)
     Nov 2 06 - 30th district will receive over $270,000 for nation-leading performance and professional pay program
Centennial Becomes 29th District to Implement Q Comp  57Kb (10/31/06)
     Commissioner Seagren presents $1.3 million Q Comp check for implementation
El Colegio Charter School enters teacher performance pay program  53Kb (10/30/06)
     Oct 30 06 - eighth charter to sign up for nation-leading Q Comp program
Q Comp program continues to grow  63Kb (10/27/06)
     Oct 27 06 - Delano is 28th district to implement nation-leading performance and professional pay program
Eight Minnesota Programs Awarded Career Pathways Grants  46Kb (10/26/06)
     Grants support programs to help students attain industry-recognized skill certificate or credential
Inventory of Mandarin Chinese language programs completed  41Kb (10/16/06)
     Oct 16 06 - important step in implementing Gov. Pawlenty's initiative to bring Mandarin Chinese classes to more Minn. schools
Minnesota Math Revision Committee  10Kb (10/12/06)  29Kb (10/12/06)
     Math revision committee begins meeting today: Includes list of members and timeline
Minnetonka school district to implement performance pay for teachers  456Kb (10/11/06)
     Oct 11 06 - 27th district to join nation-leading Q Comp program (Governor's Office release)
MDE regional forums to improve STEM education  21Kb (10/3/06)
     Oct 10 06 - to build regional coalitions to improve science, technology, engineering and math education
STRIDE Academy enters Q Comp program  34Kb (9/29/06)
     Sep 29 06 - seventh charter school joins nation-leading performance and professional pay program
Two Minneapolis schools enter Q Comp program  37Kb (9/28/06)
     Sep 28 06 - Sanford Middle, Whittier International Elementary schools join nation-leading performance and professional pay program
Jordan Park Community School/Hmong International Academy enters Q Comp program  35Kb (9/28/06)
     Sep 28 06 - another Minneapolis school joins nation-leading performance and professional pay program
Minnesota Transitions Charter Schools enters Q Comp program  33Kb (9/28/06)
     Sep 28 06 - sixth charter school to receive over $277,000 to implement nation-leading teacher performance, professional pay program at seven sites
Oh Day Aki charter school enters Q Comp program  43Kb (9/28/06)
     Sep 28 06 - fifth charter school to implement nation-leading teacher performance, professional pay program
Edgerton Elementary enters Q Comp program  29Kb (9/28/06)
     Sep 28 06 - Roseville school to receive over $104,000 to implement nation-leading teacher performance, professional pay program
Education leaders convene in Rochester to discuss alternative calendar  15Kb (9/27/06)
     Sep 27 06 - visit Longfellow Choice Elementary, discuss 45/15 model
Summit to Connect Students to STEM Opportunities  17Kb (9/21/06)  27Kb (9/21/06)
     Governor Pawlenty to address nearly 1,000 high school students at this September 30 event.
MDE Invites Minnesotans To Participate in Revision of Math Standards  15Kb (9/18/06)
     Sep 18 06 - Seeking diverse cross-section of Minnesotans, including educators, parents and representatives from higher education and business
St. Anthony-New Brighton district enters Q Comp  28Kb (9/14/06)
     Sep 14 06 - 26th district to implement nation-leading teacher performance, professional pay program
Q Comp reaches milestone in Burnsville  35Kb (9/8/06)
     Sep 8 06 - 25th district to receive over $2.75 million to implement nation-leading teacher performance, professional pay program