Education headlines
Daily news stories
Stories from media sources around the state, updated Monday through Friday:
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Star-Tribune
Minneapolis public schools and teachers reach tentative contract agreement to avert potential strike
The news of the agreement between the district and the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers came early Thursday after a long bargaining session that started Wednesday night.
Showdown over DEI issues won’t lead to Anoka-Hennepin shutdown, superintendent says
Anoka-Hennepin Schools has stopped planning for a shutdown, district leaders announced Wednesday, noting a budget breakthrough as it works through board member concerns over spending on racial diversity and gender equity programming.
Minnesota Reformer
After union pushback, House DFL cuts proposal to change first week of new leave program to unpaid
House Democrats on Wednesday evening walked back a proposal that would have made the first week of Minnesota’s new paid family and medical leave program unpaid unless the worker could show that they had less than 80 hours of paid time off from their employer.
**President Denise Specht quoted: “We do not believe that limiting the availability of leave to certain groups of individuals was the original intent of the bill” wrote Denise Specht, president of Education Minnesota. “The amendment … appears to be an effort to impose a type of means testing for a benefit that bill authors agree was intended to be universally available.”
Minnesota Women’s Press
“Outdoor Learning Is Going to Save the World”: The Prevalence of Nature-Based Education in Minnesota
To date, 13 public schools offer a nature-based option in Minnesota, which is unprecedented across the country.
MPR News
Anoka-Hennepin school board OKs plan to avoid budget showdown
Anoka-Hennepin school board members reached an agreement early Wednesday to avoid a budget showdown over objections raised by one board member about district equity initiatives.
Minneapolis Public Schools, teachers reach tentative agreement overnight
The district has not yet announced an agreement with the union’s Educational Support Professionals Chapter, which also had set a strike authorization vote.
Session Daily
Education policy conference committee lays out differences in House, Senate bills
Largely, the Senate version of HF3782/SF3567 has a number of provisions the House does not, yet optimism abounds.
Education Minnesota press releases
11 selected as 2024 Teacher of the Year finalists
Investing in educators is an important way to raise graduation rates
Education Minnesota applauds Walz’s focus on students and educators
Education Minnesota endorses Voegeli for state House
2024 Teacher of the Year field narrowed to 27 semifinalists
