Minnesota Department of Education :

Kids Voting Results From the State Fair

The Minnesota Department of Education booth housed a Kids Voting USA Booth at the fair. Kids were provided a "real" voting experince and their families had a chance to learn more about this valuable national program. According to Executive Director in Minnesota, Lars Sandstrom, "The results are in -- Timber Wolf Runs Away with the Vote!"

With 8549 ballots counted, the Timber Wolf has won the Kids Voting Minnesota election held at the Minnesota State Fair in the Minnesota Department of Education Booth. The ballots contained four choices: The Timber Wolf, the Black Bear, the White-tailed Deer or the Moose.

Registering 42 percent of the vote, the Timber Wolf easily outdistanced its competitors. The Deer received 25 percent of the vote, the Moose, 17 percent, and the Black Bear, 16 percent. The results of this election will be used to recommend action during the 2009 Minnesota Legislative session.

Minnesota Students Receive Ethel Curry Scholarship

Eight Minnesota students recently received the American Indian Ethel Curry Scholarship for academic excellence. The scholarships are awarded by the Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation (MAEF) in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Education.

“It is an honor to recognize these deserving students for their academic excellence,” said Ruthe Batulis, Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation chair. “I commend these students and wish them continued success as they continue to advance their academic endeavors and pursue fulfilling careers. May these students continue to honor the legacy of Ethel Curry.” Read news release for complete listing of student awardees.

Minnesota Announces U.S. Department of Energy Partnership

Minnesota students will have an opportunity to participate in a Real World Design Challenge through a partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy and the Minnesota Department of Education intended to inspire Minnesota students to consider entering the science, technology, engineering and math fields (STEM). “This is an incredible opportunity for Minnesota and Minnesota students to be engaged with the STEM fields and be inspired by scientists and other professionals in real world settings,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Education Alice Seagren.

The goal of the Real World Challenge is to inspire students to develop STEM skills and systematically highlight the potential future for those who choose science and engineering careers. The Challenge will include ten states in the pilot and will be conducted during the 2008-09 academic year. Read news release.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.