Public News Service

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Pushback vs. pushback: MN parents respond to political forces in education

Minnesota's largest school district is at the center of a budget controversy tied to the recent wave of school board candidates fighting diversity pro…

Public school leaders say competition from charter schools - and in some states, vouchers for private schools - are contributing to enrollment declines, impacting how much aid districts receive. (Adobe Stock)

Mpls. funding fight underscores larger school budget pain

From expiring pandemic aid to declining enrollment, school districts in Minnesota face financial pressure and public school advocates and community …

Federal policies, such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, are ushering in a wave of public works projects across the country. That's prompting more demand for jobs within the building and design trades, and industry leaders hope more young people take notice. (Adobe Stock)

Galvanizing efforts to prepare more builders and designers in MN

Representatives from the building and design trades will gather this weekend to showcase their professions to Minnesota youth. Organizers want to …

The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce says Minnesota ranks 11th in the nation when measuring the growth of college degree attainment between 2010 and 2020. (Adobe Stock)

College degree attainment sees uneven growth for racial groups

The U.S. has seen an increase in the percentage of adults with a college degree, helping to boost lifetime earnings. But a new report shows the …

The organization Black Men Teach says in Minnesota, Black males represent 8% of students enrolled in teacher preparation programs, while only 2% successfully graduate. (Adobe Stock)

Shaping a more diverse teacher workforce in MN

It's winter break time for Minnesota school districts. But when classes resume, efforts will continue to ensure there are more teachers of color …

The Minnesota School Nutrition Association reports some districts have seen a 20% to 30% increase in meal requests after the state began a universal school meal program. (Adobe Stock)

MN's no-cost school meals draw interest from research community

As Minnesota school districts near the halfway point of the academic year, plans are taking shape to study the effectiveness of no-cost meals for all …

Leaders at Minnesota's Normandale Community College say the pandemic reshaped the lives of many students, prompting them to consider whether to keep pursuing a degree. (Adobe Stock)

MN college joins national 'stop out' prevention initiative

Minnesota's largest community college is one of nearly 12 schools that will be part of a national pilot project to boost student outcomes and retentio…

Until recently, school boards were often free of politics. But pushback against COVID-19 measures, teachings about race and book-ban movements have made them a part of culture war debates in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Concerns mount over 'extreme' school board candidates in MN

Nearly 100 school board elections are coming up in Minnesota this fall, with some gaining attention because of the candidates who are running…

In 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than four in 10 students felt persistently sad or hopeless. Education observers said it has prompted more demand for mental health services in schools. (Adobe Stock)

Assessing Need for School Counselors Amid SRO Debate in MN

Minnesota lawmakers could soon be called into special session in response to a controversy over school resource officers. The situation has prompted …

Unlike temporary expansions at the start of the pandemic, free school meals for all Minnesota K-12 students are now permanent. (Adobe Stock)

MN Implements 'No-Cost Meals' for All Students

With back-to-school season here, Minnesota is implementing no-cost meals for all students, regardless of family income. As districts prepare…

Retail experts say the cost of electronics that students need has become a driving factor in the overall rise of school supply expenses. (Adobe Stock)

Amid Budget Pressure, Low-Income Minnesotans Get School-Supply Relief

The average U.S. household will spend nearly $900 on back-to-school supplies this year, and in Minnesota, poverty-fighting organizations are …

From left, Kareem Weaver, Tanji Reed Marshall and Alonso Jaque-Pino discussed the science of reading at an American Federation of Teachers conference. (Photo courtesy of AFT)

Teachers, Leaders Respond to Criticisms of K-12 Schools

With a new school year a little more than a month away, educators remain steadfast in fending off attacks from some parent groups and conservative …

Desde la izquierda, Kareem Weaver, Tanji Reed Marshall y Alonso Jaque-Pino hablaron sobre la ciencia de la lectura en una conferencia de la Federaci�n Estadounidense de Maestros. (Foto cortes�a de AFT)

Maestros, líderes responden a las críticas de las escuelas K-12

Con un nuevo año escolar a poco más de un mes de distancia, los educadores se mantienen firmes en defenderse de los ataques de algunos …

Findings compiled by the Annie E. Casey Foundation show Minnesota has an overall high ranking for child well-being. But advocates warn that lack of access to early child education could derail outcomes. (Adobe Stock)

MN Shines in Child Well-Being Report, But Pandemic Shows its Impact

An annual report measuring child well-being in the U.S. said several benchmarks have worsened overall. States like Minnesota fared better in the …

Over the next budget years, state aid for Minnesota public schools will increase to more than $23 billion. (Adobe Stock)

Budget Stability, Flexibility Among Highlights of MN School Funding Plan

Many Minnesota school districts say they have been walking a financial tightrope, but leaders appear to be encouraged by the new education funding …

Even prior to the racial reckoning, Minnesota was known for its disparities, including child development outcomes. (Adobe Stock)

MN Faces Key Decision on Program to Reduce Child-Development Disparities

A few years ago, Minnesota launched a pilot program to give communities of color more power to improve outcomes for child development as they …

Advocates for educators say morale issues are playing into the current nationwide teacher shortage. (Adobe Stock)

MN Educators: Public Should Lend an Ear, Time to School Staff

As Teacher Appreciation Week continues, Minnesotans are reminded of the commitment educators bring to the classroom, and the message is coming from …

According to the American Library Association, a record 2,571 unique titles were targeted for censorship in 2022, a 38% increase over the previous year. (Adobe Stock)

Amid Censorship Craze, Library Campaign Aims to Turn the Page

Public libraries are known for their quiet settings. But during National Library Week, staff leaders in Minnesota and elsewhere are being vocal about …

Leech Lake Tribal College, established in 1990, is one of three fully accredited Tribal Colleges and Universities in Minnesota. (Photo courtesy of Tribal College Journal)

MN Tribal Colleges: State Support Could Elevate Campuses

Tribal colleges not only teach students, they're also institutions that maintain Native American languages and cultural history. In Minnesota…

In 2021, 241,000 new apprentices entered the national apprenticeship system, but a new policy report says Black workers are still underrepresented. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Apprenticeship Programs Need to Improve for Black Workers

Labor leaders and various industries recently celebrated the 85th anniversary of a federal law that laid the groundwork for registered apprenticeship …

Pictured are several of Minnesota's MATCHCOUNTS competitors for the current season. (Photo courtesy of program officials)

Beyond Hockey and Hoops, MN's Math-letes Compete in State Tourney

Minnesota's famed high school state hockey tournament is underway, and there is another statewide competition which does not involve a puck. Younger …

School social workers, who are trained mental health professionals, say working with younger students often allows more access to families as they try to help develop a more nurturing environment. (Adobe Stock)

MN Applies 'Trauma Layer' to Early-Childhood Intervention Work

This week is National School Social Work Week, and in Minnesota, there are efforts to enhance support for students and families in early-childhood …

Beyond direct counseling, school social workers will sometimes hold group discussions with students as they try to cope with a tragic incident on campus. (Adobe Stock)

School Districts Share Responsibility to Help Students Heal After Violence

Extra security is in place at a Minnesota school after one student was fatally stabbed by another. The staff, including social workers, is tasked …

Lumina Foundation says Minnesota's overall rate of post-secondary attainment has increased by 15 percentage points since 2009. (Adobe Stock)

MN Remains on Steady Ground for Adults with Degrees or Certificates

From declining enrollment to culture-war issues, higher education faces a range of obstacles. But in states such as Minnesota, new figures show …

Hunger-fighting groups say one in six Minnesota school children lives in a household experiencing food insecurity. (Adobe Stock)

MN Looks to Erase Hunger in Schools

Better health and educational outcomes are being touted as the potential benefits as Minnesota lawmakers discuss whether to provide free school meals …

Leading up to the pandemic, fewer men were attending college. But the pandemic appears to have prevented more women from enrolling soon after high school. (Adobe Stock)

Fewer Women Enroll in College; Racial Equity a Factor

Higher education experts say a concerning trend has emerged in the pandemic - declining college enrollment among young women. Those pushing for …

Antes de la pandemia, menos hombres asist�an a la universidad. Pero la pandemia parece haber impedido que m�s mujeres se inscriban poco despu�s del bachilerato. (Adobe Stock)

Menos mujeres se matriculan en la universidad; Equidad racial un factor

Los expertos en educación superior afirman que ha surgido una tendencia preocupante en la pandemia: la disminución de la inscripción un…

Supporters of providing free school meals to all students say it removes administrative and registration headaches for both schools and parents. (Adobe Stock)

Amid Rising Hunger, MN Sees Renewed Calls for Universal Lunches

On the heels of last week's news that Minnesota's budget surplus has grown larger, there are renewed calls to approve free school meals for all …

Some 70% of public schools in the United States reported an increase in the percentage of students seeking mental-health services at school since the start of the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

MN School Mental-Health Staffs Navigate Funding Maze

Two months into the new school year, Minnesota social workers in schools say resources still are hard to come by for providing mental-health services…

White Earth Tribal and Community College is one of 32 fully accredited Tribal Colleges and Universities in the United States. (Photo courtesy weei.com)

Tribal Colleges Hope Voters Show Support at the Polls

Minnesota is home to three tribal colleges. Higher education leaders for Indigenous populations say they hope to see strong turnout for the midterms…

En 2020, hubo un aumento del 14 % en la tasa promedio de votaci�n de los estudiantes en los campus universitarios de EE. UU. en comparaci�n con 2016. (Adobe Stock)

Peticiones crecen por día feriado para elecciones en campus universitarios

Para mantener a los estudiantes universitarios comprometidos con el proceso de votación, se propone un feriado el día de las elecciones …

Over the past year, Minnesota awarded 44

Outdoor Recreation Grants to Help MN Kids Stay Healthy

Health experts say soaking up nature and taking up outdoor activities can keep kids on a healthier path as they grow. But not all of them have equal …

School social workers in Minnesota say they're trying to be more intentional about listening to a student's concerns about not feeling safe or welcome. (Adobe Stock)

New Year, New Campus Culture for Some MN Schools

School districts across Minnesota are opening their doors today for the start of a new year, but for some students, lingering racial trauma and other …

Last year, Minnesota boosted state aid for school districts, but many administrators say they're still swimming in red ink while warning of future cuts. (Adobe Stock)

As Candidates Court Voters, MN School Leaders Detail Budget Woes

Most Minnesota school districts are preparing to welcome back students next week, and some administrators are expressing growing concern over their …

Washington Monthly ranks the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus 23rd in the nation when it comes to research that benefits the broader public. (Adobe Stock)

UMN Fares Well in 'Socially Conscious' College Rankings

The University of Minnesota's flagship campus, along with some other regional schools, are included in annual higher-education rankings shining a …

According to recent USDA 'Farm to School' Census data, Minnesota schools that responded reported spending 13% of their budgets on local products. (Adobe Stock)

Disadvantaged MN Farmers to See New Business with School Meals

Farmers of color in Minnesota are expected to see new opportunities to get their products into school lunch programs. Their advocates said a major …

Earlier this year, nearly 1,300 Minnesotans participated in a new initiative that provides free schooling for people who want to become certified nursing assistants. (Adobe Stock)

Amid Shortages, MN Seeks to Train More Future Nurses

This fall, additional free classes will be offered in Minnesota for people thinking about a career as a certified nursing assistant. It follows an …

While there are continued disparities, an annual report says Minnesota has seen progress in elevating kids out of poverty, with 12% of children falling into that category. (Adobe Stock)

Disparities, Mental Health Cloud MN Child Well-Being Summary

Minnesota once again gets a high ranking among states for child well-being, but an annual report says the state's disparities remain a challenge…

While most classrooms are empty right now, lingering concerns from the previous school year, such as the pandemic's effect on students and staff, are being dissected ahead of next year. (Adobe Stock)

Summer Recharge for MN School Social Workers

Research is emerging about the secondary trauma school staff members face after helping students during the pandemic. As summer moves forward…

A new student-led effort in Minneapolis, supported by the CDC's Preventing Violence Affecting Young Lives grants, is one of eight projects around the country to receive funding. (Adpbe Stock)

Student Peace Advisory Group Takes Flight in MN

Students may be settled into their summer break - but in Minnesota, some remain focused on setting a peaceful tone ahead of their return to school …

Surveys show a third of households with children have a gun, and nearly half of gun-owning households with children do not store all of their firearms safely. (Adobe Stock)

'Public Health Emergency': Protecting Youth from Gun Violence

Congress continues to debate possible changes to the nation's gun laws after the recent school shooting in Texas. In the meantime, efforts move …

The Degrees When Due initiative has identified nearly 60,000 Minnesota students who earned college credits, but outside factors forced them to put their education on hold. (Adobe Stock)

Program Helps MN Colleges Break Up the 'Stop Out' Pattern

The pandemic and other factors forced some Minnesota college students to put their academic careers on hold. Several schools around the state…

Mental-health professionals working in schools report seeing more student referrals, but are often short-staffed in helping them. And there are growing waiting lists for providers outside the classroom. (Adobe Stock)

MN Educators Amplify Message on Mental-Health Demands in Schools

This story is part of our continued look at mental-health demands playing out in Minnesota schools. It's Teacher Appreciation Week, and Minnesota …

A 2016 study found less than 60% of U.S. adults are financially literate. (Adobe Stock)

Reading, Writing and Financial Literacy: Money Course Requirement Debated

The tax filing deadline is fast approaching, prompting many to think more about their personal finances. Some policymakers, including Minnesota …

An ACLU report says Minnesota's student-to-social worker ratio is 852-to-one, well above the recommended level. There are also wide ratios for numbers of school nurses and psychologists. (Adobe Stock)

MN School Social Workers: Mental-Health Demands are Real

COVID cases are down in much of the U.S., but the pandemic's lingering effects are growing larger. School social workers in Minnesota point to mental-…

Last year, Minnesota lawmakers approved notable increases in education spending they said would limit staff layoffs. But teachers and their advocates say many districts are still planning cuts. (Adobe Stock)

Following Mpls. Strike, Calls for Broader Support Grow Louder

This week, Minneapolis public school students returned to class following a nearly three-week teacher strike, but labor groups say educators and …

Minneapolis public school teachers and support staff picket outside district headquarters. It's the city's first teachers strike in more than 50 years. (Mike Moen/Public News Service)

Mpls. Strike Seen as Referendum on State of Public Schools

Teachers in Minneapolis walked the picket line Tuesday in hopes of securing better pay and more mental-health support in schools. Their calls echo …

Health equity experts say struggling Minnesota families and their children are being impacted by compound stressors that include lack of access to food and technology. (Adobe Stock)

School Meal Access Back in Spotlight Following Latest COVID Disruption

January saw some Minnesota schools move back to distance learning because of COVID-19 cases. Families struggling to find their kids meals in these …

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MN: Education