MPIRG student group: Sviggum should pick one jobJanuary 31, 2012 4:29 AMBy Alex FriedrichThe student-oriented Minnesota Public Interest Research Group calls on University of Minnesota regent Steve Sviggum to choose either his position as regent or his staff job with the state Senate Republican Caucus: Because of the partisan nature of his new position, it is hard to reconcile how he can execute the Regents mission while fulfilling…
Notes in the Margins: Cocaine, poor kids and an admissions goofJanuary 31, 2012 1:43 AMBy Alex FriedrichFor Some Vassar Applicants, Joy Then Misery as College Corrects Mistake Scores of early-decision applicants to the college were mistakenly told they had been accepted. (The New York Times) Is college not for poor kids? A few weeks ago, we read about a group of students who were promised in 1988, when they were in elementary school, that…
Play53min 54secLast in, first out?January 31, 2012 12:00 AMIs eliminating seniority-based teacher layoffs an effective way to reform education and save schools money?
Play4min 06secTeacher seniority, NCLB top education issues in low-key legislative sessionJanuary 30, 2012 2:42 PMBy Tom WeberGOP lawmakers are pushing legislation that would change several rules regarding teacher seniority and layoffs, one of several education-related proposals they hope to pass this year.
Kaler: Outside reviewers coming to UMN Academic Health CenterJanuary 30, 2012 6:49 AMBy Alex FriedrichThis is on the University of Minnesota’s Web site today. The crux: A recent internal review of the Academic Health Center doesn’t get to larger issues that Kaler wants answered — among them whether the center is structured correctly. (Note: I find that interesting, since the report’s executive summary lists “mission, functions and administrative responsibilities…
Financial aid analyst: Would Stafford Loan interest cut hurt Pell Grants?January 30, 2012 6:38 AMBy Alex FriedrichCollege finance expert Mark Kantrowitz of FinAid.org isn’t too hot on the the bill cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minneapolis) that would freeze the interest rate on Stafford Loans at 3.4 percent. A 2007 law cut the rate from its original 6.8 percent, and when the provision expires in July, the rate is set…
What Ellison said about the Stafford Loan rate freeze billJanuary 30, 2012 4:51 AMBy Alex FriedrichI spoke this morning with U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison about the bill he said he has helped introduce that would prevent the Federal Direct Stafford Loan’s 3.4 percent interest rate from doubling this year. (The rate used to be fixed at 6.8 percent, but was reduced back in 2007. It’s scheduled to return to 6.8…
Notes in the Margins: Obama, freshman politics and benefits of big-time sportsJanuary 30, 2012 1:11 AMBy Alex FriedrichCollege presidents wary of Obama cost-control plan President Barack Obama’s new plan to force colleges and universities to contain tuition or face losing federal dollars is raising alarm among education leaders who worry about the threat of government overreach. Particularly sharp words came from the presidents of public universities; they’re already frustrated by increasing state budget…
College presidents wary of Obama cost-control planJanuary 28, 2012 11:54 AMPresident Barack Obama's new plan to force colleges and universities to contain tuition or face losing federal dollars is raising alarm among education leaders who worry about the threat of government overreach.
Behind Obama's financial aid 'shopping sheets'January 27, 2012 7:30 PMPresident Barack Obama wants to make it easier to size up the cost of college.