April 30, 1998 - Martin Sampson, University of Minnesota Political science professor; Ido Oren, an Israeli citizen and University of Minnesota International Relations professor; and Miriam Kluska, who is in Tel Aviv, discuss Israel’s 50th Anniversary. Program begins with a report by NPR’s Linda Gradstein on the celebration taking place in Israel.
April 30, 1998 - This year's eighth graders scored better than those of years past on the Basic Skills Tests in reading and math. The tests are Minnesota's first step toward tough graduation standards. The class of 2000 must pass the tests to get a diploma. A passing grade is 75-percent or better. State officials say the scores show schools are making needed improvements but there is a lot of work yet to do. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... Statewide, 68-percent of the 8th graders tested in February passed the basic skills reading test, up from 59-percent last year. In the math test, 71-percent passed, up just one percent from a year ago. Bob W
April 30, 1998 - A new government report says teen birth rates have declined in Minnesota and the nation as a whole in the first half of this decade. Minnesota participated in the trend and historically has teen birth rates significantly lower than the nation's as a whole. However, African American teen pregnancy rates in Minnesota are among the highest in the nation. Those numbers are NOT declining, even though THEY ARE nationally. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports: Teen birth rates declined from 1990 to 1996 nationally, to about 55 per one thousand 15 to 19 year old females. IN the first half of the 90's Minnesota's teen birth rate dropped 13 percent, a bigger drop than the national decline of 8 and a half percent. Rebecca Wright saw some of the trends a
April 30, 1998 - We've all been children once, but sometimes it's difficult to remember exactly what it was like to be nine years old. It's an age when kids are trying to understand the confusing language and rules of adults while constantly being thrust into new situations. It's frustrating when things don't make sense, and aren't fair. Author Nicholson Baker, who is often intrigued by things most of us overlook, decided to capture the essence of being nine years old, but he knew he wasn't qualified to do it. So he turned to his real-life daughter Alice. He carefully jotted down her many adventures, real and imagined, as she adjusted to a new school in England. The result is the book "The Everlasting Story of Nory." --------------------------------------------------------- | D-CART ITEM: 6123 | TIME: 7:18 | OUTCUE: "...new duties in the offing." ------------------------------------------
April 30, 1998 - Much of the dispute in the trial has focused on what it's cost the state and insurance companies to treat people with smoking related illnesses. Health workers who work with smokers say they're glad the trial is taking place regardless of the outcome because more people are thinking about the effects of smoking. They say it's also important to hear the stories of real people whose lives have been affected by smoking. Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe has the story of a woman from Rochester.
April 30, 1998 - Advances in medicine give physicians better tools to heal the sick, but some patients feel their humanity gets overlooked by doctors focused on equipment, medication, and the pressure to see more patients. Studies show a relationship between faith and health. In the final story in our series on religion in everday life, Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe reports many medical schools are teaching doctors how to use spirituality as another tool to heal.
May 1, 1998 - With her pending retirement, Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Esther Tomljanovich discusses her time in the courts. She recollects on her time in the trial court and being a Minnesota Supreme Court justice. Tomljanovich also answers listener questions.
May 1, 1998 - Some analysis of the results of the 8th grade basic skills tests, with Kate Trewick, Assistant Commissioner for Teaching & Learning at the MN Dept of Children, Families and Learning; David Heistad, Director of Research, Evaluation and Assessment for the Minneapolis Public Schools; and State Rep. Becky Kelso, Chair of the House K-12 Education Finance Division. The group also answers listener questions. Sandra Peterson, the President of the Minnesota Federation of Teachers, is also interviewed.
May 4, 1998 - MPR’s Perry Finnelli presents a public reponse call-in show on the Minnesota Citizens’ Forum about tax policy.
May 4, 1998 - This program is titled "Inventing the Poster Child” and focuses on unsolicited charity from the perspective of those who have received it. It also explores how the disability charity business was built and how people with disabilities are working to change it.