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.

JJ Legacy School's abrupt closure leaves parents and students in desperate situation
Friday was the final day of classes for students and faculty at the JJ Legacy School in north Minneapolis, after a financial crisis abruptly forced its doors to close for good. Now parents are scrambling to find a school for their kids.
‘Like a chain reaction’: UW-River Falls grappling with fourth student death in 2 months
The university is treating the four deaths as a suicide cluster and working to support its community and prevent further deaths ahead of its roughly 5,000 students returning for classes on Jan. 22.
New FAFSA comes with a big mistake that could lower students' financial aid
The U.S. Department of Education is debating whether to make an enormous and potentially disruptive change to this year’s FAFSA process to help borrowers and remedy a department mistake.
New Hamline president wants to build trust — then enrollment
Hamline University is welcoming Kathleen Murray as its newest leader during a time of increased attention to academic freedom on campus. She spoke with MPR News about bolstering free speech and trust within the community.
The FAFSA rollout has been rough on students. The biggest problem is yet to come
The Education Department has made a big mistake with this year’s FAFSA — one that could cost students financial aid they’re entitled to. It’s now grappling with how to implement a fix.
FAFSA delays are straining families and colleges
This year's federal aid form is new and improved. But it came three months later than normal, and in its first week, online access has been unpredictable.
Former U of M professor's estate gifts record $6.5 million to Science Museum of Minnesota
The Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul has received a $6.5 million gift — the largest in the museum’s history, from the estate of William D. Wells, a former University of Minnesota professor who died in 2020.
As mental health worries rise for Black Minnesotans, focus shifts to strengthening kids, caregivers
The well-being of young children and their caregivers is closely connected, and children struggle when adults struggle. For Black Minnesota kids and their families, poverty and racism compound those problems. Charting a path forward includes preparing kids for a “harsh world,” one expert says.