June 9, 1997 - Two Voices of Minnesota interviews: Mary Beth Blegen, National Teacher of the Year from Worthington, Minnesota. And a conversation with Minnesota School Psychologist of the Year, Sally Gotelaere. She works for the Hermantown School District.
June 10, 1997 - It was fun and games at the Minnesota Children's Museum today as "Sesame Street" characters Rosita and Maria entertained a group of children from Hennepin County Head Start. But interspersed between the songs and dances was a very serious message about lead poisoning. More than 4,000 Minnesota children have elevated levels of lead in their blood. At least 439 of those kids have levels so high they're at risk of brain damage and even death. The "Sesame Street" tour is the first "all-out" lead awareness campaign in the state. But as Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports, for years a Minneapolis neighborhood has waged it's own quiet war against lead.
June 10, 1997 - The Willmar School District has settled a class action lawsuit brought by Hispanic and Latino families last year. The families claimed the district discriminated against their children, putting them in inappropriate classes and disciplining them more harshly than other students. The central Minnesota district won't have to pay any monetary damages but it will have to make a number of policy changes. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Wareham reports.
June 11, 1997 - It's become a matter of conventional wisdom that a high school diploma won't cut it anymore -- especially in the high-tech job market of the 21st century. But college isn't cheap: The cost of attending a public institution has doubled in the last fifteen years, and tuitions at PRIVATE colleges have tripled. As Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports, there may be an alternative on the way for undergrads who don't have the money -- or the time -- for life on campus.
June 11, 1997 - A new Minnesota Public Radio, Pioneer Press and KARE-11 poll shows more Minnesotans favor Governor Carlson's proposal for education tax credits and deductions that parents could use for private school education, than oppose it. MPR's Karen-Louise Boothe reports.
June 12, 1997 - The job market looks generally rosy for the 1.2 million members of college class of '97. On the face of it few industries seem more promising than higher education. Senior professors are retiring earlier than ever and in ever-greater numbers. But as Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports, rarely have young academics been gloomier about their prospects.
June 12, 1997 - Governor Carlson has gained the support of some black and Latino leaders for his education tax credit and deduction program. In a joint news conference, representatives from the Council on Black Minnesotans, and the Chicano Latino Affairs Council along with other community leaders..spoke in favor of the governor's plan. But as MPR's Karen-Louise Boothe reports support isn't unanimous among all minorities.
June 16, 1997 - About 8500 students returned to their classrooms today in the Minneapolis school district. Minneapolis public schools expect up to 10,000 students in this year's summer school, ten times larger than past years. The unprecedented effort is aimed at those students not passing basic skills tests. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
June 16, 1997 - Nils Hasselmo had to rely on his parents in Sweden for part of his education. They used correspondence courses to teach him at home for a time in junior high because there was no school in the village. This month he finishes his job as president of the University of Minnesota to return to his work as professor. Today on our Voices of Minnesota interview Hasselmo talks about his Swedish roots and his University experiences.
June 17, 1997 - The Duluth School Board decides today whether municipal buses should continue transporting some of the district's students.The death last winter of a young girl has raised parents' fears that Duluth Transit Authority buses aren't as safe as conventional school buses. City officials say municipal buses are safe, and the loss of the transportation contract would force a reduction in public bus service in Duluth and nearby Superior, Wisconsin. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports from Duluth.