***SPPS IN THE NEWS:
Tuesday primary to narrow the field for St. Paul school board
Primary to narrow field for 3 regular seats, 1 vacancy
9/12/2009
Pioneer Press
http://www.twincities.com/education/ci_13320037.html
St. Paul second-grader scores national publication with eight-line poem about games she likes to play
Second-grader pens winning eight lines about favorite games
9/13/2009
Pioneer Press
http://www.twincities.com/education/ci_13330939.html
Public input sought on St. Paul superintendent search
To aid in the search for a new superintendent, St. Paul schools officials are inviting residents to a public feedback session.
9/14/2009
MinnPost.com
http://www.minnpost.com/politicalagenda/2009/09/11/11467/public_input_sought_on_st_paul_superintendent_search
***OTHER DISTRICTS IN THE NEWS:
Class Size Brings Strike by Teachers
On what was scheduled to be the first day of school, students and teachers at Mill Creek Middle School here never made it through the front door. They stood or sat outside by the flagpole, waving signs and yelling at passing motorists.
9/11/2009
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/us/13kent.html?adxnnl=1&ref=education&adxnnlx=1252944177-K6r59GALigeLMdfaYOZFYQ
District Relents on Obama Talk
Students in a Utah school district will get to see President Obama’s education address after all, though they will have to wait until next Thursday.
9/11/2009
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/11/us/politics/11utah.html?ref=education
Foreign Languages Fall as Schools Look for Cuts
IN Edgemont, a high-performing Westchester school district, children as young as 7 could recite colors and days of the week in Spanish, but few if any learned to really converse, read or write. So this fall, the district canceled the Spanish lessons offered twice weekly at its two elementary schools since 2003, deciding the time and resources — an estimated $175,000 a year — could be better spent on other subjects.
9/11/2009
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/education/13language.html?ref=education
'Nontraditional' St. Paul charter schools show success
But cooperation falls short, report says
9/11/2009
Pioneer Press
http://www.twincities.com/education/ci_13320747.html
Results mixed in Star School Project
Five new charter schools see higher graduation and postsecondary education rates, but their state test results have been a bit uneven.
9/11/2009
Pioneer Press
http://www.startribune.com/local/east/58685332.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU
'Just a toy' gun in St. Louis Park school brings charge
A 26-year-old Minneapolis man was charged Friday with bringing a replica gun to St. Louis Park High School this week.
9/11/2009
Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/local/west/59087952.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUr
University charter school grant a success
The phrase, "non-traditional public education" may seem contradictory, but the success of five new urban charter schools launched by the University of Minnesota in St. Paul has shown that the two terms can coexist, and can do so successfully.
9/11/2009
Twin Cities Daily Planet
http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2009/09/11/university-charter-school-grant-success
Evidence Is Limited on Charters' Effect on ELL Achievement
The question of whether charter schools do a good job of educating English-language learners is being debated in Massachusetts, as legislators consider two proposals that would expand the number of such schools.
9/12/2009
Edweek.org
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/09/16/03charter.h29.html?tkn=MZOFkvaPcS4jiox2azqlNOkWhWTmu%2FfzzSkd
Schools Bans Bracelet Used in Sex Game
A Colorado middle school is asking parents not to allow their children to wear a type of colored bracelet to school over concerns that the bracelets hold specific sexual connotations for students.
9/12/2009
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/us/13bracelets.html?ref=education
Deadline passes for school districts to submit school-levy vote plans
The number of Minnesota school districts in the hunt for voter-approved classroom dollars is about to be finalized.
9/12/2009
Pioneer Press
http://www.twincities.com/education/ci_13320740.html
School's plans for wind turbine in Woodbury are stalling
Expected city rules called too limiting
9/12/2009
Pioneer Press
http://www.twincities.com/education/ci_13319145.html
Former Anoka-Hennepin student's claim of harassment was retaliation, 6 students and 2 teachers say
Anoka-Hennepin teen faced gun report, say teachers, 6 classmates
9/14/2009
Pioneer Press
http://www.twincities.com/education/ci_13331287.html
***MISC. NEWS:
Minneapolis / Bachmann, Ron Paul to speak at U
U.S. Reps. Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul are slated to speak to students at the University of Minnesota during a forum Sept. 25.
9/11/2009
Pioneer Press
http://www.twincities.com/education/ci_13320735.html
Mothers of invention
Moving to Minnesota has brought many Somali women advanced educations and their own businesses. A high percentage of Somali-owned enterprises in the Twin Cities are run by women.
9/11/2009
Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/59033892.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU
Minnesota is strong at the core
This state has led the nation, and will continue to do so, because of an emphasis on infrastructure -- especially education.
9/12/2009
Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentary/59066297.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU
Minnesota's schools further imperiled by looming deficit
As noted in last week's report, state investment in Minnesota school districts has fallen dramatically over the last six years and is expected to continue to decline through fiscal year (FY) 2011.
9/12/2009
Twin Cities Daily Planet
http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2009/09/08/minnesotas-schools-further-imperiled-looming-deficit
Botched Most Answers on New York State Math Test? You Still Pass
For many students, bungling more than half the questions on a test would mean an F and all that comes with it — months of remedial work, irksome teachers and, perhaps, a skimpy allowance. But on New York State’s math exam this year, seventh graders who correctly answered just 44 percent of questions were rewarded with a passing grade.
9/13/2009
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/14/education/14scores.html?_r=1&ref=education
A better education accountability system
There are two things wrong with the MCA II, which is Minnesota's high stakes standardized test. First, it doesn't tell parents and teachers what they need to know about student academic achievement. Second, through the No Child Left Behind law, the test data is used to punish schools, thereby creating an atmosphere where schools jump through hoops to avoid punishment rather than simply educating students.
9/13/2009
Twin Cities Daily Planet
http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2009/09/11/better-education-accountability-system
Growing Michigan college swaps tuition for property
A bargain hatched by two school administrators over lunch will give a private Michigan university space to grow and local students a significant perk if they attend their hometown college.
9/14/2009
Pioneer Press
http://www.twincities.com/education/ci_13333010.html