Minnesota Department of Education :

Minnesota Advanced Placement Scores and Participation Increase

Minnesota SAT Scores Higher than National Scores The Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Office of Higher Education released new data today showing a more than six percent increase in the number of Minnesota students taking Advanced Placement (AP) tests.

The data also shows a nearly eight percent increase in the number of students scoring a “3” or higher on their exams, which is the cut score used by most colleges to award college credit to new entering students.

“The increase in Advanced Placement scores once again shows that as we raise academic expectations, Minnesota students will rise to meet those expectations,” Education Commissioner Alice Seagren said. Read news release. View the data file.

Kick-off Event: First Minnesota State Fair CIVICS BOWL!

By adapting the format used in Quiz Bowl, Education Commissioner Alice Seagren moderated the competition between two valiant teams. Demonstrating their critical thinking, problem-solving skills and knowlege of civics, U.S. and Minnesota history, the Student Team composed of Madison Shaw from Washburn High School; Kendra Boyle Hoban, Zeke Pederson, Mitchell Carpenter, Thomas (Tom) Monson and Kiera Murphy, all from Cannon Falls High School; and Andrew and Billy Eerdmans from Fergus Falls High; came out slugging.

Their opponents, Team Media & State Reps, composed of Jason DaRusha of Channel 4's Good Question; State Representative.(36B-Farmington), Pat Garafolo; Matt "the Rookie" Michlalski, 1500 AM's Garage Logic; State Representative (66A-St. Paul) John Lesch; and John Hanson, Host of Channel 5's Twin Cities Live, struggled a bit but came back in the final bonus round. Mr. History, aka Tim Hoogland, Director of Education Outreach for the Minnesota Historical Society and Instructor of History at the University of Minnesota served as judge. Commissioner Seagren's secret 10-point question -- answered by Team Media & State Reps -- ended the event in a TIE!

Additional thanks to Cannon Falls' We the People and AP Government Instructor and Coach, Heather Loeschke and Jennifer Bloom, Executive Director for the Learning Law and Democracy Foundation. Read news release for complete state fair schedule.

Department of Education State Fair Booth to Focus on Civics Education and Engagement

As Minnesota continues to celebrate its 150th birthday and with a major national political convention coming to town, this year’s Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) State Fair Booth will host several activities to highlight the importance of civics education. Programs including Kids Voting, CivicFest and Minnesota History Day Activities will be featured.

The booth will open early Thursday with a Civics Bowl competition, featuring students from several schools around the state demonstrating their civics and history knowledge. The opposing team will feature local media personalities and Minnesota legislators. In partnership with Kids Voting, and throughout the fair, MDE will also provide elementary school students with an opportunity to vote for the animal they believe should be Minnesota’s official state mammal. The four choices will be white-tail deer, moose, black bear and timber wolf. More information about Kids Voting can be found at: www.kidsvoting.com.

In addition to the civics events, the MDE booth will feature other outstanding Minnesota students and education programs. Read news release for complete State Fair schedule.

Staples-Area Teacher Center Launched

Improving mathematics and science instruction and learning will be the focus of the new Math and Science Teacher Center in Staples. Minnesota Department of Education Assistant Commissioner Morgan Brown today joined local educators to launch the Staples-area Region 5 Teacher Center, a part of the Minnesota Math and Science Teacher Academy (MSTA) which consists of nine Teacher Centers throughout the state.

The Math and Science Teacher Academy is a result of Governor Pawlenty’s efforts to improve teacher effectiveness, especially in the areas of math and science. Initial funding of $3 million was approved during the 2007 legislative session and an additional $500,000 was made available through a grant from the National Governors Association.“Through the training at this Center, teachers will have the opportunity to hone their skills in order to help prepare their students for success after high school,” explained Assistant Commissioner Brown. Read news release.

Department of Education Releases Results From New Online Science Assessment

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) released results from Minnesota’s inaugural online Science MCA-II. In 2008, approximately 39 percent of fifth-graders, 38 percent of eighth-graders and 43 percent of high school students are proficient on the Science MCA-II.

“Rigorous science education is central to our ability to prepare our students for future success in college and career,” Minnesota Education Commissioner Alice Seagren said. “These results underscore the need for Minnesota to continue with its efforts to improve science education.” Read news release. View the results. See Frequently Asked Questions.  View assessment results using School Report Card.

Marshall-Area Teacher Center Launched

Improving mathematics and science instruction and learning will be the focus of the new Math and Science Teacher Center in Marshall. Project Director Christy Hemp said local educators were "excited to be a part of this project that will give math teachers the opportunities to share new content and teaching approaches with their students and their colleagues." Read news release.

Student Enrollment Options

Following recent developments regarding a few Minnesota charter schools, the Minnesota Department of Education has received several questions about enrollment options for Minnesota students.

In response to those questions, the Department of Education has developed the following FAQ.

Minnesota Leads Nation in Average ACT Scores Fourth Consecutive Year

Minnesota students achieved the highest average ACT score in the nation in 2008, according to results released by ACT. Minnesota's 2008 graduating seniors who took the ACT earned an average composite score of 22.6 on the college admission and placement exam. The average ACT score for the nation is 21.1 out of a possible 36 points.

"Overall, Minnesotans can be proud of these ACT results," Deputy Education Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education Chas Anderson said. "We will build on this success by working with parents and the business and higher education communities to prepare Minnesota students to compete with students beyond our nation's borders." Read news release on the Minnesota Office of Higher Education site.

St. Cloud-Area Math and Science Teacher Center Launched

Improving mathematics and science instruction and learning will be the focus of the new Math and Science Teacher Center in St. Cloud. Minnesota Department of Education Deputy Commissioner Chas Anderson today joined local educators to launch the St. Cloud-area Region 7 Teacher Center, a part of the Minnesota Math and Science Teacher Academy which consists of nine Teacher Centers throughout the state.

“After parents, teachers have the biggest impact on student success,” said Deputy Commissioner Anderson. “Through the training at this Center, teachers will have the opportunity to hone their skills in order to help prepare their students for success after high school.” The Region 7 Teacher Center is training teams on how to effectively prepare students to meet the new mathematics standards requirements put in place in 2007. Read news release.

Rochester/Winona-area Teacher Center Launched to Improve Math and Science Instruction

Improving mathematics and science instruction and learning will be the focus of the new Math and Science Teacher Center in southeast Minnesota. Minnesota Department of Education Deputy Commissioner Chas Anderson joined local educators in Winona to launch the newest Teacher Center, a part of the Minnesota Math and Science Teacher Academy which consists of nine Teacher Centers throughout the state.

“After parents, teachers have the biggest impact on student success,” said Deputy Commissioner Anderson. “Through the training at this Center, teachers will have the opportunity to hone their skills in order to help prepare their students for success after high school.” The Teacher Center is training 70 teacher leaders from districts across the region on how to effectively prepare students to meet the new mathematics standards requirements put in place in 2007. Read news release.

Education Licensing Information

The Department of Education provides a fast and simple way to search Minnesota teacher license information. Click here to begin your search.

Department of Education Releases 2008 Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Data

The Minnesota Department of Education today released 2008 data regarding Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) under the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Of 1,920 Minnesota schools earning an AYP status in 2008, 983 schools made AYP compared to 1,191 schools in 2007. There were 937 schools that did not make AYP in 2008, up from 727 schools in 2007. Thirty-one schools provided insufficient data. Minnesota currently has 197 Title I schools in need of improvement, which will be providing additional options and services to students.

The increase in schools not making AYP is the result of only slight improvements in proficiency and the increases in the reading and math AYP targets required to meet the federal government’s requirement of 100 percent proficient by 2014.

“Minnesota is committed to preparing every Minnesota student for success after high school,” said Alice Seagren, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Education. “AYP can be used as a vital tool for moving forward with that goal.” Read news release. View Your School's 2008 AYP data. Review the 2008 AYP Summary.

Fergus Falls-Area Teacher Center Launched

Improving mathematics and science instruction and learning will be the focus of the new Math and Science Teacher Center in Fergus Falls. Minnesota Department of Education Assistant Commissioner Karen Klinzing today joined local educators to launch the Fergus Falls-area Region 4 Teacher Center, a part of the Minnesota Math and Science Teacher Academy which consists of nine Teacher Centers throughout the state. “After parents, teachers have the biggest impact on student success,” said Assistant Commissioner Klinzing.

Jolene King, Manager of Education Services with the Lakes Country Service Cooperative added, “This center will provide professional development in a research-based model. Teachers will learn from experts and from each other, demonstrate their learning, and be given ongoing opportunities to learn, share and discuss.” Read news release.

Mankato-Area Teacher Center Launched to Improve Math and Science Instruction

Improving mathematics and science instruction and learning will be the focus of the new Math and Science Teacher Center in Mankato. Minnesota Department of Education Deputy Commissioner Chas Anderson joined local educators to launch the Mankato-area Teacher Center, a part of the Minnesota Math and Science Teacher Academy which consists of nine Teacher Centers throughout the state.

The Math and Science Teacher Academy is a result of Governor Pawlenty’s efforts to improve teacher effectiveness, especially in the areas of math and science. Initial funding of $3 million was approved during the 2007 legislative session and an additional $500,000 was made available through a grant from the National Governors Association. Read news release.

2008 Math and Reading MCA-II Results Up Slightly

Math and Reading MCA-II assessments were up slightly in 2008, according to results released today by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). Minnesota students made the biggest gains in 10th-grade reading, with a 9 percent increase.

“Improvement is always welcome when measuring our students’ educational progress,” Minnesota Education Commissioner Alice Seagren said. “Yet, true to Minnesota’s tradition of education excellence, we must make every effort to prepare every Minnesota student for success in a world that will challenge them in ways that preceding generations could scarcely have imagined.” Read news release. Look-up your school or district results.

MNParentsKnow Website Voted Best New Resource

Minnesota ParentsKnow Website offers Minnesota parents a convenient source of trusted knowledge about their child’s health, learning, development and safety. The site was voted best by Minnesota Parents Magazine readers and announced in the July issue.

“And now, Minnesota ParentsKnow Website offers parenting information to an increasing number of Minnesota parents,” said Education Commissioner Alice Seagren. The new information, for parents of children through age five, is in addition to the infant information already available on the Website. Ultimately, the Department plans to include information through grade 12.

MNParentsKnow.info is hosted by the Minnesota Department of Education and was developed as part of the Educate Parents Partnership, an early childhood initiative of Governor Tim Pawlenty funded by the 2006 Legislature. Read news release.

Minnesota Launches Math and Science Teacher Academy

The Minnesota Department of Education announced the creation of the Minnesota Mathematics and Science Teacher Academy that will focus on improving mathematics and science instruction and learning through ongoing, quality professional development statewide. A result of Governor Pawlenty’s efforts to improve teacher effectiveness, especially in the areas of math and science, funding for the program was approved during the 2007 legislative session.

The Academy is comprised of nine regional Teacher Centers throughout the state, each including at least one K-12 school district or education service cooperative, and one higher education institution. The Centers are located in Thief River Falls, Mountain Iron, Fergus Falls, Staples, Marshall, St. Cloud, Mankato, Rochester and Plymouth. “Math and science education are central to Minnesota’s efforts to prepare our students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century,” Governor Tim Pawlenty stated. Read news release.

Applications Open for U.S. Senate Youth Program

Scholarship Applications are now being accepted for the U.S. Senate Youth Program. Two high school juniors or seniors from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity will spend an all-expense paid week in Washington D.C. and receive a $5,000 undergraduate college scholarship. The student delegates will tour the city and visit with the highest-level officials from each branch of government.

Applications are due Oct. 15, 2008. Names of students selected will be formally announced in Mid-December. For more information, visit the U.S. Senate Youth Program Website. View application.

Increasing Awareness of Military Issues Within Minnesota Schools

Thousands of Minnesotans serve our country in the military and in turn, thousands of military families and children are impacted by their service. As leaders in education, we want every educator to know that children in their classrooms and schools may be affected by the military service of a parent or family member.

The Minnesota Department of Education has partnered with Governor Pawlenty’s Yellow Ribbon Task Force and other educational organizations to increase awareness of military issues within Minnesota schools. As part of this effort, we are making available informational resources for military children, families and educators.