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.

The Daily Pennsylvanian student paper recalls several goofy University of Pennsylvania applicants who stand out in the minds of interviewers — for all the wrong reasons: … 1984 College graduate Betsy Levine remembers one interviewee who ended an hour-and-a-half meeting by saying, “I can’t believe you’re ending the interview — the guy from Princeton spent…
Four Loko ban fuels buying binge While federal officials announced plans this week to outlaw alcoholic energy drinks like Four Loko, five 20-somethings living in a Columbia Heights group house hatched a plan of their own: Anytime someone sees Four Loko for sale, buy as much as possible. (The Washington Post) Enrollment in Online Courses…
So far we’ve heard comments mostly from folks at the University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities campus. So I asked Mark Privratsky, a U of M Morris student who’s also vice chairman of the University of Minnesota Student Senate. He was one of the student leaders who has a sit-down with Kaler today before he faced…
Kaler on recent controversies
Some local reporters (including me and Tim Post) sat down this afternoon with University of Minnesota president-designate Eric Kaler for a talk. You can see Tim Post’s upcoming piece on that, but I’ll concentrate on Kaler’s views of recent controversies the U has undergone in the past few months — as well as one of…
I just spoke with MN SPJ secretary Art Hughes. Although the regents were successfully sued in 2004 over a similar issue, he said this time he doesn’t see legal action on the horizon: The regents, or administration, did a pretty good job of insulating themselves from any sort of legal challenge. Last time they blatantly…
Wow, just after U of M president declares his commitment to athletics, I get this announcement from the St. Cloud State student government, which has been trying to raise money so it won’t have to cut sports such as football: Record turnout approves athletic fee increase ST. CLOUD, Minn. – A record number of St.…
Journalists' society denounces U of Minnesota regents' lack of transparency in Kaler appointment
Reporters covering the choice of sole finalist Eric Kaler as the University of Minnesota’s next president have asked regents repeatedly about potential public concern over both the speed of the process and the lack of an alternative candidate. The regents’ answer, boiled down: You’ll just have to trust us. We couldn’t do it any other…
President-elect Eric Kaler seems to have impressed a lot of people at the U, including students. But Dan Garon, a senior who’s the director of strategic communications for the Minnesota Student Association, expressed concern over Kaler’s interpretation of “shared governance.” Students have long wanted a seat at the table when decisions are made, Garon said.…
Kline looks to scale down federal education department
Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., said Thursday that he will look to scale down the federal Department of Education when he takes over the House committee that oversees it.
Quick math: Bruininks’ pay as of this fall was $455,000 base pay, $650,000 with benefits. Kaler’s base salary is $610,000 (close to double his old Stony Brook base of $347,000.) Starting in his second year, Kaler will theoretically get $660,000, including his $50,000 retirement benefits. But I haven’t read through his contract yet. Does anyone…