Education

State Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke says she'll be back at work as usual on Wednesday, even though a key legislative panel wants her removed from the job she's held for over a year. Members of the DFL-controlled Senate Education Committee voted on a 6-to-4 party-line vote Tuesday to reject Yecke's confirmation as commissioner. The recommendation now goes to the full Senate.

The confirmation hearing for Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke resumes today. Host Gary Eichten and his guests preview the hearing and hear comments and questions from MPR listeners.

Senate DFL leaders say last week's resignation of Public Safety Commissioner Rich Stanek will not affect the pending confirmations of other Pawlenty cabinet members. They say they will continue to scrutinize the governor's commissioners. Many DFL senators say they're particularly concerned about Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke, whose confirmation vote by the Senate Education Committee is scheduled for April 27. Republicans say DFLers are playing politics with qualified gubernatorial appointees.

U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige visited Minnesota on Thursday, the second time in two months he's come to the state to promote the federal No Child Left Behind Law. Paige says the federal government is trying to respond to states' concerns about the law. His comments didn't satisfy some teachers and school officials, who say the law is causing many problems for schools.

Minneapolis and St. Paul school district officials are blasting legislation that would take away some of the state funding they get for keeping their schools racially balanced.

Minnesota eighth grade test scores in math took a slight dip this year, while reading scores remained steady from 2003.

Minnesota Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke is trying to convince lawmakers that she's been an effective leader for public education the past year and deserves to keep her title.

Minnesota Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke is telling state lawmakers she's been an effective leader for public education the past year and deserves to keep her job. Critics meanwhile are portraying the commissioner as a divisive force who should be removed. The Senate Education Committee is listening to testimony for and against Yecke as part of her confirmation hearing. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire has been following the action at the Capitol.

The University of Minnesota president, Robert Bruininks, will be in the MPR studios to discuss a new Gophers stadium, tuition issues, and other university news. He'll also take questions from MPR listeners.

The Minnesota House has approved legislation that takes money used for school desegregation programs away from urban districts and shares it with schools statewide. Lawmakers approved the controversial funding shift Wednesday night as part of a broader education finance package. The Republican House passed the $8 million dollar education bill on a 74-56 vote.