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.

YouTube Goes to College UC-Berkeley is one of nearly 450 universities worldwide—roughly 390 of which are in the U.S. and Canada—that have established a channel via YouTube EDU. In total, the schools have uploaded 63,500 hours—or about seven years—worth of video content, ranging from class lectures to interactive question-and-answer “office hours” with professors. (U.S. News…
MN private colleges: Donations are down
In making a pitch for more donations, the Minnesota Private College Council has noted that giving to higher-ed institutions has seen a double-digit decrease over the past decade — most noticeably since the financial crisis year of 2008: When the amounts are not adjusted for inflation, the comparison of 2001 to 2010 is relatively flat.…
Which professors would best survive a zombie attack?
Couldn’t resist this: Six University of California – Santa Barbara professors from different fields recently duked it out in the university’s second Zombie Debate, in which they had to explain why people in their field were best equipped to survive a zombie attack. The faculty hailed from communication, religious studies, psychology, engineering, biology, and English…
Minn. education commissioner responds to bullying investigation
Minnesota's Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius said Wednesday that Minnesota's bullying law needs a definition of bullying and more accountability.
Why running a Winona State off-campus bookstore is tough
When I was in college, I often bought from an off-campus bookstore (which was called just that) instead of the campus shop because of the savings and convenience. It mostly dealt in used books, and was right near my dorm. I figured such stores might be hit by the Internet, but it looks like one,…
“We have to overcome some cultural barriers. We have to get over the idea that career education is second-best education. … Many high schools have eliminated their shop classes, because they want to keep (students) in class all day. But look at (aspiring) surgeons: They’re learning with their hands all day.” Sounds like he’s tuned…
“We need to elevate career (counseling) to worldclass levels. We’ve really deemphasized career education. It’s a fundamental oversight. It’s not a call for radical reform; it’s just common sense. If a person of 14 really doesn’t know where to go, he’s not going to get there.”
“Unfortunately, the message we’re sending to our children is that they have to go to a four-year college. … Our focus has been too narrow. We’ve focused too much on the academic approach to learning. We need a broader, more holistic approach to learning if we’re going to prepare students to lead successful lives.” ……