November 5, 1999 - Nearly five hundred educators are in Mahnomen this week for the annual convention of the Minnesota Indian Education Association. Organizers say it's the highest attendance in the fourteen year history of the Association. Educators say there's a renaissance underway, as traditional culture and spirituality are re-discovered and embraced by the younger generation.
November 18, 1999 - The University of Minnesota is expected to impose additional sanctions against its men's basketball team this week following a seven month academic fraud investigation. The new punishment will come on top of the probation and ban on post-season play university President Mark Yudof announced last month. It won't necessarily be the last round of sanctions against the U of M. The U's findings go to the NCAA, which will decide if more penalties are warranted.
November 19, 1999 - A suburban Twin Cities school has won national recognition for its "cutting edge" approach to learning. At a White House ceremony today, officials with the U-S Department of Education named the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley as one of 13 winners of this year's "New American High Schools" awards.
November 19, 1999 - Results of an eight month investigation released by the University of Minnesota today confirm widespread academic fraud and other rule violations in the men's basketball program. U of M President Mark Yudof announced top administrators in men's athletics are leaving the University as a result of the probe.
November 24, 1999 - A new report says Minnesota's public education system is falling short when it comes to preparing students for the world of work. The Citizens League Committee on Workforce Training says the growing shortage of high-skilled workers could force some businesses to leave the state.
November 24, 1999 - Duluth's three Edison Schools will keep their charter for three more years. Last night the Duluth school board narrowly voted to renew the contract after more than two hours of contentious debate. Critics -- and even some allies -- of Edison Schools, Inc., a for-profit company based in New York, said the vote was premature because the contract does not expire until next summer. New school board members set to take office in January are known to oppose the Edisons schools. But Edison proponents said they need to know where they stand with the Duluth board in order to properly plan for the next school year.
November 30, 1999 - Saint Paul school district officials say they want more public input on their plans to end the social promotion of students. School board members and administrators discussed the proposed promotion and retention policy last night. But a final vote won't come until early next year.
December 7, 1999 - The Minnesota State Board of Education officially disolves at the end of the month after 80 years of shaping public school policies. The nine-member citizen panel holds its final regular meeting today, and as Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports the board is not leaving quietly.
December 14, 1999 - The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities board of trustees must soon decide the future of an aging technical college. MinnesotaSCU officials say the Anoka-Hennepin Technical College needs at least 30-million dollars in repairs, which they cannot afford to make. A plan to close the school and relocate its programs is angering students, faculty and local residents.
December 20, 1999 - Central High School in Pipestone, is one of the worst school buildings in the state. Several classrooms and the auditorium are closed by order of the fire marshal. In theory, everyone agrees the school is in bad shape and the consolidated district needs a new one. What they can't agree on is a plan for the new school, and if the town's agricultural-based economy can afford it. Residents vote tomorrow on a 20 million dollar bond referendum. Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland says the issue that's divided the town, has also left students at Central thinking about the future.