Minnesota Department of Education :

Free GED Online Preparation for Minnesota Students

The Minnesota Department of Education announced a new online instructional program for Minnesotans who are preparing for their General Educational Development Diploma (GED). GED-i, a nationally-recognized and teacher-facilitated service, is free to Minnesota students.

“This is an important resource for people who are working toward their GED diploma,” said Commissioner Seagren. “For many Minnesotans, transportation, child care and work obligations have kept them from going to class to prepare for the GED test. This new program will make GED preparation much more accessible.” Read news release.

Governor Pawlenty Appoints Ten to Advisory Council on Early Childhood

Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Sarah Caruso, Dr. Andy Chen, Ph.D., Stephanie Corradi, Tom Holton, Julie Leslie, Dr. Joseph Nathan, Ph.D., Dr. Arthur Reynolds, Ph.D., Maureen Seiwert, Sandra Simar, and Julie Sjordal to the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care.

In addition to appointed members, federal law requires designees from the Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Human Services and the State Director of Head Start Collaboration. Karen Klinzing, Assistant Commissioner, will represent the Department of Education, Chuck Johnson, Assistant Commissioner, will represent the Department of Human Services; and Mary Vanderwert, State Director of Head State Collaboration, will serve on the council.

Governor Pawlenty created the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care by Executive Order 08-14. Federal law authorizes the creation and assigns responsibilities to the advisory council. The council consists of 18 members, including 14 appointed by the Governor. Read news release on the Governor's Website.

Congratulations 2009 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year!

It is with great pleasure that I congratulate Minnetonka School District Superintendent Dennis Peterson on being named the 2009 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year by the Minnesota Association of School Administrators. It is always a joy for me to acknowledge the exceptional achievements of Minnesota education administrators.

I want to thank Superintendent Peterson for his strong commitment to student achievement and establishing himself as one of the vital leaders in education in our state. - Education Commissioner Alice Seagren

North Branch District Enters Q Comp Program

Education Commissioner Alice Seagren announced today that the North Branch School District will be the 43rd school district to implement Minnesota’s nation-leading Q Comp performance and professional pay program. The school district will receive $1,003,600 in total revenue for implementation in the 2008-09 school year.

“I commend North Branch School District on their decision to participate in this important education reform,” said Commissioner Seagren. “Doing so will give the district’s teachers an opportunity to enhance their skills and participate in real-time, research-based professional development, which will help raise student achievement.” Superintendent Deb Henton, Ed.D. added, “We are confident that the implementation of Q Comp will lead to higher levels of student achievement and staff collaboration in our school district. More time to learn together equals even higher levels of success!” Read news release.

Department Launches New Math and Science Teacher Academy Web section

The Minnesota Mathematics and Science Teacher Academy was created to improve 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 focus of this round of funding is to develop teaching modules in mathematics and train teacher leaders to use the modules in their classrooms as they implement the math standards. More than 1,000 teachers from across the state are currently part of the Academy.

Visit the department's new Math and Science Teacher Academy Website section for more information and to view the mathematics modules. 

Edina School District Enters Q Comp Program

Education Commissioner Alice Seagren announced today that the Edina School District will become the 42nd district to implement Minnesota’s nation-leading Q Comp performance and professional pay program. The school district will receive $2,030,080 in total revenue for implementation in the 2008-09 school year.

“I commend Edina School District on their decision to participate in this important education reform,” said Commissioner Seagren. “Our plan will focus on providing teachers with additional coaching and training to improve their instruction. This initiative will also enhance teacher performance and accountability by aligning targeted goals with teacher compensation,” commented Edina Superintendent Ric Dressen. Read news release. View approval letter.

Minneapolis’ Windom Spanish Dual Immersion School Enters Q Comp Program

Commissioner of Education Alice Seagren announced today that the Windom Dual Immersion School will implement Minnesota’s nation-leading Q Comp performance and professional pay program. The school will receive $95,680 in total revenue for the 2008-09 school year for implementation.

“The addition of this school points to the success the district is already enjoying through Q Comp,” Education Commissioner Alice Seagren said. Including the Windom Spanish Dual Immersion School, Minneapolis Public Schools has 16 total sites implementing the Q Comp program.

Minneapolis Superintendent Dr. William Green added, “Q Comp’s focus on improving teacher quality and instructional practice pays off in real gains for all students.” Read news release. View approval letter.

Governor Pawlenty Unveils Education Reform Initiatives

Governor Tim Pawlenty today unveiled initiatives to improve teaching, increase accountability for academic results, and provide intensive intervention for 8th graders struggling in math and reading. 

“Besides parents, the quality of teachers is the most important factor in determining whether students will be successful at school,” Governor Pawlenty said.  “Minnesota is blessed with some of the best teachers in the country and we appreciate our teachers.  With these proposals, we will lead the nation in improving teacher effectiveness.” Read news release.

Minnesota Standards and Assessments Approved Under No Child Left Behind

The U.S. Department of Education has given full approval to Minnesota's standards and assessments under No Child Left Behind.

Education Commissioner Alice Seagren noted this system of academic transparency gives parents and educators "tools that gauge how well our students are learning the Minnesota Academic Standards" and "provides the basis to make instructional adjustments so all students are prepared for success after high school." Read news release.

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.

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.