MDE Announces Latest Round of Charter Startup & Replication Grant Winners
On April 18th, MDE awarded 6 Minnesota charter schools Startup and Replication/Expansion Charter School Program (CSP) Grants. Read here for descriptions of the winning schools and the CSP Grant program.
View post »Not Just Consensus: Collaborative Leadership in Teacher-Powered Schools
Two common misunderstandings about teacher-powered schools are that they do not have principals, and that all decisions are made by the full teacher group coming to consensus. In practice, there is actually a wide variation in the way "collaborative leadership" works. Read here to find out more.
View post »Bush Foundation Kicks Off School Design for Individualized Learning Initiative
On April 13th, over 120 educators, administrators, and education advocates gathered in St. Paul to learn about the School Design for Individualized Learning initiative, a joint venture of the Bush Foundation and 2Revolutions.
View post »Fifteen States Turn in ESSA Accountability Plans: What Can Minnesota Learn?
Monday was the first, official deadline for states to submit their ESSA accountability plans. Even though Minnesota did not submit their plan, they can learn from what other states intend to do and, if necessary, make amendments or additions.
View post »Next-Gen Assessments: All Dressed Up, But Where to Go?
This post first appeared in Rick Hess' blog for Education Week, Straight Up. The main purpose is to discuss the emerging next generation assessments and how they might be used.
View post »Coalition Champions Bills to Address Teachers of Color Shortage in Minnesota
The Coalition to Increase Teachers of Color and American Indian Teachers in Minnesota is currently championing two bills in the legislature that are aimed at increasing the number of teachers of color and American Indian teachers in the Minnesota. Read here for key provisions in the bills.
View post »Minnesota Senate Hears Testimony in Favor of Innovation Zone Bill
Last Thursday, the Minnesota Senate Education Policy Committee heard testimony on an Innovation Zone bill. The purpose of the bill is to give school districts and charter schools the opportunity to research and implement innovative education models that are designed to better prepare students for the 21st century.
View post »3 Things You Should Know About the Proposed Minnesota Teacher Licensure System
Minnesota’s teacher licensure system has been a topic of contention for several years, with a 2016 OLA report finding the system “complex, unclear, and confusing.” There is currently a bill in the Senate, S.F. 4, which would restructure the state’s teacher licensure system. Read our post to find out the three things you should know about the proposed system.
View post »Proposed MDE Charter School Policies Raise Concerns with Charter Leaders and Advocates
Last Thursday, the MN House and Senate heard testimony on MDE's Policy Bill. While the bill covers several topics that affect public education in general, this post will focus on two of the concerns that were raised, regarding bill additions, that could negatively impact the state’s charter schools.
View post »Venture Academy: Developing Entrepreneurs through Personalized Learning
Walking into Venture Academy, a Southeast Minneapolis charter school, is like walking into Google. To the outside eye, one that has been trained to look for the industrialized education model, it may first appear chaotic and unorganized. However, upon closer examination, it is evident that Venture is anything but that.
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