Monday, January 31, 2011

Star Tribune Education Funding Article

Here is a very interesting article in the Star Tribune about education funding. It underscores the need for groups like ours to advocate for our schools at the legislature.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

2011 Legislative Session Links

A few SLP ICARE members went to the Parents United Legislative Kick-Off earlier this month. Here are the slides to the presentation along with some other pertinent links for this legislative session:

Parents United Legislative Kick-Off Slides

AMSD 2011 Bill Tracker

Hopkins Legislative Action Coalition Platform

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Brenda Casselius: Mark Dayton's Choice for Education Commisioner

Mark Dayton has chosen Brenda Casselius to be his Education Commissioner. Here is the press release:

In her 20-year career as a classroom teacher, administrator and superintendent in school systems both in Minnesota and Tennessee, Dr. Brenda Cassellius led reform, redesign and change efforts that put students first, focused on achievement, and have resulted in better outcomes for all students. Dr. Cassellius believes that change can happen quickly if it is purposeful, collaborative, and grounded in effective strategies.

“Dr. Casselius brings proven leadership in education innovation in both Minnesota school districts and in other states,” Governor-elect Dayton said. “Her experience will enable her to bring together the different education stakeholders and policymakers with differing viewpoints to build the consensus that public education in Minnesota has been lacking for too long.”

“This is a great privilege and responsibility,” said Dr. Cassellius. “I look forward to working with Governor-elect Dayton in tackling the challenges facing education in Minnesota, as well as supporting the many things we do well. The Governor-elect and I share a commitment to our state’s children and families, and I am eager to get to work in making a better and stronger school system for every child in Minnesota.”

Dr. Cassellius is currently the Superintendent of the East Metro Integration District, where she leads an achievement agenda with the 10 district superintendents. Previously, as an Associate Superintendent in the Minneapolis Public Schools, she led 19 middle and high schools and was responsible for the implementation of the Minneapolis Secondary Redesign. As the Academic Superintendent of Middle Schools in Memphis Tennessee under the leadership of former Minneapolis Superintendent Dr. Carol Johnson, Dr. Cassellius was responsible for middle school and district reforms that led to accelerated gains and the narrowing of achievement gaps among students in Memphis.

Committee Assignments

Below are the committee assignments for the Minnesota House and Senate for 2011-12:

House

Senate

In terms of education and our own SLP representatives, Ron Latz is on the Senate Higher Education Committee.