We advance student-centered learning for all students, by supporting teachers designing and leading schools, and by advocating for policy that is open to innovation.

Recent Blog Posts

MDE Identifies Schools for Support Under New ESSA Plan. What Does That Entail? September 11, 2018

On August 30, the Minnesota Department of Education released the first round of 485 schools identified to receive support under the state’s new North Star accountability system. This post will provide an overview of the processes for identifying schools for support and MDE’s Regional Centers for Excellence, as well as a deep dive into the two main levels of school support—comprehensive and targeted support.

PELSB Approves Rule Changes to Address Defects and Submits Them to Chief ALJ August 31, 2018

On August 30, PELSB approved rule changes in order to address defects that the ALJ had found in the rule draft. On August 31, PELSB submitted their updates rules to the Chief ALJ, who has 5 business days to review and provide feedback. This post will provide an overview of some of the changes PELSB made to rule and the next steps in the rulemaking process.

Project-Based Social Justice: Reimagining Student Success at Patrick Henry August 15, 2018

Patrick Henry, a district high school in North Minneapolis that serves primarily low-income students and students of color, is part of a growing movement of public schools and districts around the country that are convening their local communities to create a Portrait of a Graduate—a “collective vision that articulates the community’s aspirations for all students”.

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Recent Publications

FAQ: Minnesota's Tiered Teacher Licensure System and PELSB Memo · August 2018

The new four-tiered teacher licensure system was created by the legislature during the 2017 legislative session. This FAQ covers the new system and the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.

Summaries of States' ESSA School Quality/Student Success Measures Memo · June 2018

The School Quality or Student Success (SQ/SS) indicator was one of the most talked about and biggest decisions that fell to the states in drafting their new ESSA accountability plans. This memo summarizes the chosen SQ/SS measures for each state, DC, and Puerto Rico.

Evidence for Student-Centered Learning Report · January 2018

The design of America’s schools needs to shift from adult-centered and standardized to student-centered and individualized. This report examines the academic and historical research that supports the need for the transition to student-centered learning.

2017 Innovation Zone Law FAQ Memo · June 2018

A 2017 law allows districts and charter schools in Minnesota to form an innovation zone in order to try new approaches to learning that will raise student acheivement. The law provides flexibility from state law and rule to try those innovations.

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