Education News

MPR News keeps track of the latest education news in Minnesota so you can understand the events shaping the future of learning and how it impacts students at any level.

Stay informed about local education events, policies and more happening in schools and colleges across Minnesota.

Nonprofits step in to fill gaps in youth mental health support at schools
A youth peer support specialist discusses how he’s working to support the mental health challenges facing high school students as the semester comes to a close.
St. Cloud school district program offers free food to families facing insecurity, changes to benefits
About 70 percent of the school district’s students are living with food insecurity, meaning they can't afford or don't have access to enough nutritious food. The Feeding 742 Kids Initiative aims to help by providing pre-packaged food boxes to all families in the district.
Falling tree kills man in NE Minnesota as winter storm brings high winds, heavy snow
An early-season winter storm packing heavy snow, howling winds and falling temperatures swept across Minnesota Tuesday into early Wednesday, leaving treacherous conditions and at least one death — a man struck by a falling tree while clearing snow near Duluth.
Department of Education hands off key Native American programs
Recent Department of Education shifts will transfer 24 programs serving Indian Country to the Department of the Interior, a move that tribal leaders say they weren’t consulted about. Native-specific programs such as Title VI, Native Language programming, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Education, and tribal college-related programs, will move to the U.S. Department of the Interior.
U of M leans into startup generator to boost its standing in local economy
The University of Minnesota’s Technology Commercialization Office has been involved with 285 startups since 2006. TechCom spun off a record 26 startups this past year. The ambition is to ramp up to 30-50 startups a year.
The University of Minnesota, Fairview Health Services, and M Physicians are returning to the negotiating table. A mutually agreed-upon mediator will be selected soon, while strategic facilitator Lois Quam will remain involved in the process.
Minnesota teacher licensing head: Reporting system needs changes to keep kids safe
Yelena Bailey tells MPR News she’ll ask lawmakers to give the state licensing board more power to revoke the licenses of teachers accused of inappropriate behavior with students and to investigate people applying for licenses. 
State auditor finds Byron schools improperly documented credit card purchases amid financial crisis
A state review shows that Byron Public Schools failed to provide proper credit card documentation for $60,000 in purchases in 2023 and 2024. It's the latest in a series of financial missteps in the southeastern Minnesota district.