Minnesota Department of Education :

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.

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.

Two Minnesota Teachers Go to the Head of the Class with Surprise $25,000 Milken Educator Awards

Kelly Woods, a third grade teacher at Nellie Stone Johnson Community School and Tracey Cross, a fifth grade teacher at Galtier Science, Mathematics and Technology Magnet Elementary School, were stunned to receive the news of their selection as 2008 Milken National Educator award recipients. The awards, which come with an unrestricted cash prize of $25,000, were presented by Milken Family Foundation Chairman and Co-Founder Lowell Milken during schoolwide assemblies.

On hand to offer congratulations were special guests Minnesota First Lady Mary Pawlenty, Minnesota Commissioner of Education Alice Seagren and football legend Rosey Grier. Hailed as "the Oscars of teaching" by Teacher Magazine, the Milken Educator Awards were conceived to recognize the importance of outstanding educators and encourage talented young people to enter teaching. View photos from the events.

Minnesota-China Partnership Grows

The Office of Chinese Language Council International (Hanban) and the Minnesota State Department of Education (MDE) have agreed to recruit up to 10 Chinese educators to teach in Minnesota schools each year over the next five years. This collaboration will provide opportunities to improve the quality and depth of Chinese language and cultural education for Minnesota students while developing the educational foundation necessary for students to succeed in the 21st century global marketplace.

“This agreement will expand Chinese language opportunities for Minnesota students so they can obtain the skills necessary for success in an economy where interculturalism will be an essential element,” said Education Commissioner Alice Seagren. Read news release.

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.

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. Review addtional information and register for the challenge.

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.

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.

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.

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.