Education

Gov. Tim Pawlenty named veteran legislator Alice Seagren as Minnesota's new Education Commissioner Tuesday. Seagren, R-Bloomington, will take over the position that was vacated when the DFL-controlled Senate ousted Cheri Pearson Yecke in May. The DFLers said Yecke was a divisive figure and an extremist. Some of the groups who criticized Yecke have lent their support to Seagren, including the teacher's union Education Minnesota, but Pawlenty said that his choice does not represent a change in his education policy.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty says his new education commissioner will bring a different style to the job than her predecessor, but no less commitment to school reform. Pawlenty announced Tuesday his selection of Rep. Alice Seagren, R-Bloomington, to fill the vacant cabinet post. Lawmakers and education leaders say Seagren's style and insider knowledge make her an excellent choice to lead the Minnesota Department of Education.

State education officials have released the test scores they'll use to determine whether Minnesota high schools are meeting performance goals.

Some 16-year-olds are thinking twice before rushing out to get a driver's license. The reasons for postponing that rite of passage range from fear of accidents to economics.

A long-awaited report on the state's school funding system says reform should start with figuring out what it actually costs to educate a child. It's not the type of radical reform some critics of the current complex system hoped for when Gov. Pawlenty assembled the funding task force. But the report's authors hope it at least provides a starting point for what is likely to remain a heated political debate.

David Jennings has served as Minneapolis' interim superintendent since Carol Johnson left the position to head up the public school system in Memphis, Tenn. He had originally been the Minneapolis School Board's first choice to take up the position permanently, but withdrew his name in October after leaders from the city's African American community criticized his appointment. He is stepping down on June 30, and Thandiwe Peebles, the school board's unanimous choice to permanently fill the position, will take up the reins following contract negotiations. Interim Superintendent Jennings reflects on his time at the helm of Minneapolis Public Schools and its future challenges.

The thousands of Hmong refugees who are expected to arrive in Minnesota will face a major obstacle: learning English. But many English language learning classes are already full in the Twin Cities and have waiting lists. Educators say they're concerned an already stressed system could cause problems for the refugees.

Seven children were among the 11 Hmong refugees who arrived in the Twin Cities earlier this week. Some of those kids are now beginning the process of enrolling in St. Paul schools. School officials say they hope to make that process as routine as possible.

Funding shortfalls in St. Paul public schools leads to layoffs of dozens of teachers. St. Paul Schools Superintendent Pat Harvey also talks about improving test scores for all students and the expected impact of Hmong refugee children.

This year for the first time ever, three Latino students successfully completed all the requirements to graduate from Long Prairie High School. It's a positive step, but hundreds of Latino kids in Long Prairie never make it that far. The chronic dropout problem is the subject of a new radio documentary produced by a local Hispanic advocacy group called Hacer.