***SPPS IN THE NEWS:
No Stories today

***OTHER DISTRICTS IN THE NEWS:
Lakeville / Closing of an elementary school looks unlikely
District seeks to trim $6M shortfall
10/9/2009
Pioneer Press
http://www.twincities.com/education/ci_13520202.html

Two South St. Paul elementary schools to get counselors
A state grant has enabled two elementary schools in South St. Paul to hire part-time counselors for this school year.
10/9/2009
Pioneer Press
http://www.twincities.com/education/ci_13520203.html

Ousted Cottage Grove principal running for seat on school board
Walt Lyszak was pushed out the door as principal of Park High School in Cottage Grove two years ago. Now he's running for a seat on the school board, which governs the South Washington County School District where he previously worked.
10/9/2009
Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/local/south/63822687.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU

***MISC. NEWS:
AFT Announces First Recipients of Innovation Fund
Eight affiliates of the American Federation of Teachers plan to scale up new models for teacher bargaining, recruitment, evaluation, or compensation—including some that would incorporate student test scores—with their cut of $1.2 million from the first round of grants from the union’s Innovation Fund.
10/9/2009
Edweek.org
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/10/14/07aft.h29.html?tkn=NUTFOnEbHn8FiI0TlWqdBReor3DVGDuP5C5H

Teacher 'Residencies' Get Federal Funding to Augment Training
The recent announcement of $43 million in teacher-preparation grants by the U.S. Department of Education puts the first federal financing behind the burgeoning “residency” model of teacher training.
10/9/2009
Edweek.org
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/10/14/07residency.h29.html?tkn=RTUFEcXoIxf0%2Fr3UiskDvly7kZFP%2BSIBxA28

Testing Experts Cautious on 'Race to Top' Rules
While the U.S. Department of Education finalizes its rules for doling out $4 billion to states in the Race to the Top competition, a group of prominent testing experts is cautioning federal education officials on how they propose to use assessments to measure student achievement and teacher-quality improvements under the initiative.
10/9/2009
Edweek.org
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/10/08/07academies.h29.html?tkn=UM[FZ6de%2F9HWhbz9sFWZlWVKw%2Bnxg9%2BOYmG%2B

An examination of Bachmann's misleading statements on school-based 'sex clinics'
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Minnesota's conservative firebrand Rep. Michele Bachmann grabbed headlines last week when she claimed from the House floor that health-care reform legislation would establish school-based "sex clinics" and allow students to have abortions without notifying their parents.
10/9/2009
Pioneer Press
http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2009/10/08/12319/an_examination_of_bachmanns_misleading_statements_on_school-based_sex_clinics

Looking for H1N1 shot? You'll have to get in line
Some vaccine is headed to Minnesota, but don't call your clinic ... sickest kids get first doses.
10/9/2009
Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/virus/63818147.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr