February 2, 1998 - Many Minnesota 8th graders have been hitting the books hard in the last few weeks, preparing for statewide reading and math tests which start tomorrow. This is the first year every school in the state has to participate. Last year, about one third of all tested students failed, prompting a public outcry and pushing school districts to make changes. This year there's tremendous pressure for students and schools to perform well, but some are still questioning the value of the tests. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire checked in at one Minneapolis school where preparations are continuing at a furious pace.
February 3, 1998 - The top athletes in the sport of curling will compete for an Olympic medal for the first time this year in Nagano, Japan. Among those vying for a medal with the American men's team are two curlers from St. Paul and two from Wisconsin. One of those is Mike Peplinski (puh-PLIN-ski). He lives in Eau Claire and teaches seventh grade in Alma along the Mississippi River. This summer he faces another battle. Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe reports. Sound of Peplinski practicing- sliding along the ic
February 3, 1998 - Governor Arne Carlson delivers his 8th and final State of the State address tomorrow (Wednesday). He has touched on a lot of themes in those speeches.... but perhaps the most constant theme has been education This year Carlson is proposing 252-million dollars for construction at the University of Minnesota and 168-million for the state colleges and universities system. He's expected to dwell on how Minnesota's colleges and universities can help prepare students to fill gaps in the states workforce, and on his proposal for boarding schools to help troubled youth. Some observers say it's the Republican Governor's last effort to leave an education legacy... But for many, that legacy is already in place. Carlson's big education battles are behind him, and the state's public education system has changed substancially since 1991. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports...
February 3, 1998 - Geneva Smitherman of Michigan State University, John Rickford of Stanford, and Barbara Shin of the Minneapolis School system discuss the place of Ebonics in American education.
February 3, 1998 - Geneva Smitherman of Michigan State University, John Rickford of Stanford, and Barbara Shin of the Minneapolis School system discuss the place of Ebonics in American education.
February 4, 1998 - Governor Carlson made a case to legislators today to upgrade the state's colleges and universities, and build boarding schools for troubled youth. The Republican Governor devoted a large part of his final state of the state address to education issues. Carlson also reflected on his education accomplishments of past seven years, warning lawmakers not to tinker with the reforms. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... Governor Carlson used the state of the state speech to push for the multi-million dollar request for higher education in the state bonding bill. He wants 252-million dollars for the University of Minnesota and 167-million dollars for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
February 9, 1998 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports on Next Innovations, a Minneapolis organization that trains young non-profit employees business and leadership skills….and possibly the next generation of non-profit managers.
February 11, 1998 - Governor Carlson's 12-million dollar bonding proposal to fund boarding schools gets another hearing at the capitol today. (wed) The schools would serve at-risk juveniles who have had no major criminal problems. The proposal for Minnesota may be modelled after the Milton-Hershey School in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe travelled there to take a closer look. She reports on what SOME experts say is a new view of an old concept.
February 24, 1998 - Next Tuesday night, Republicans and Democrats hold precinct caucuses to elect delegates to this summer's party conventions. This week, Minnesota Public Radio is profiling the candidates vying for their endorsement for Governor. Political reporter Eric Jansen prepared this profile of DFL candidate Ted Mondale: BackAnnounce: Our series of candidate profiles continues tomorrow morning on Morning Edition when Karen Boothe follows the Mike Freeman campaign. And at this time tomorrow evening, we'll hear about Republican Alan Quist.
February 25, 1998 - Next Tuesday night Republicans and Democrats hold precinct caucuses to elect delegates to this summer's party conventions. This week, Minnesota Public Radio is profiling the candidates vying for their endorsement for governor. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports on Republican Allen Quist's efforts to seek the office he sought, also, back in 1994.