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.

[audio href="http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/services/nis/listen/?name=minnesota/general/features/2013/05/01/dreamact_20130501_64" title="Senate passes Minnesota "Dream Act""]Reporter Alex Friedrich chats with Tom Crann on All Things Considered[/audio]
Minnesota Senate passes Dream Act legislation
The Minnesota Senate passed a DFL-sponsored bill that would give students living illegally in the state access to taxpayer-funded financial aid, in-state tuition prices and certain private scholarships. Backers say the bill — known informally as the “Minnesota Dream Act” or “Prosperity Act” — would bring a college education to hundreds of immigrant students who…
The Minnesota Department of Education will give schools more time to complete spring testing.
What a Senate higher-ed pol said about the MnSCU end to bonuses
Recently, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system trustees voted to eliminate performance-based pay — which some call “bonuses” — for the chancellor, vice chancellors and campus presidents. MnSCU Chancellor Steven Rosenstone had apparently testified before the House higher-education committee earlier this session that MnSCU was going to do that, and both the House and…
Coursera to offer new MOOC options for teachers
A leading platform for the popular "massive open online courses" offered by elite universities is moving into a new realm: the expansive field of continuing education for teachers.
What is the UMN College in the Schools program excluding?
Emory University English professor Mark Bauerlein writes in the Star Tribune why the University of Minnesota is wrong to largely exclude classics from its “College in the Schools” program: The point here is not to censure the course for its contemporary, multiculturalist focus. Prof. McNaron and CIS have, in fact, developed machinery to ensure college-level…
No Rich Child Left Behind In the United States over the last few decades these differences in educational success between high- and lower-income students have grown substantially. For example, economists at the University of Michigan found that the proportion of students from upper-income families who earn a bachelor’s degree has increased by 18 percentage points over a…
Who will be reconciling House and Senate higher-ed legislation?
Here are the legislators chosen to be on the upcoming higher-education conference committee, which is charged with reconciling/synthesizing House and Senate legislation on that subject: House: Chairman Gene Pelowski (DFL-Winona) Ryan Winkler (DFL-Golden Valley); Paul Rosenthal (DFL- Edina) Zachary Dorholt (DFL-St. Cloud) Bud Nornes (R-Fergus Falls) Senate: Chairwoman Terri Bonoff (DFL-Minnetonka) Greg Clausen (DFL-Apple Valley)…
Why St. Olaf is the 23rd healthiest college in the U.S.
Another dining award for St. Olaf College — Its food has put the college on The 25 Healthiest Colleges in the U.S. list by Greatist.com, which also made USA Today. Although the ranking cited other colleges’ fitness facilities and initiatives, it was apparently the chow that earned Oles 23rd place: St. Olaf’s food service program…
Senate Dream Act vote could come Wednesday
To get an update on where the Minnesota “Dream Act” stands, I’ve been talking with some of its backers. It looks like a floor vote on the Senate bill — which stands alone — is tentatively scheduled for May 1 (tomorrow). The House has no companion bill, and the omnibus higher-education bill doesn’t contain it.…