September 4, 2003 - The start of the new school year has brought added pressure to the Minnesota schools that are falling below performance goals. State officials identified 144 schools last month that are not making the adequate yearly progress required under the federal No Child Left Behind law. They say the designation will push schools to improve. Educators at one Minneapolis school say they accept the challenge, but they also resent the label. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports...
September 3, 2003 - Minnesota's 18-hundred public schools will spend this school year retooling their academic standards and graduation requirements. Teachers are implementing new reading and math standards, after state lawmakers repealed the former standards in the Profile of Learning. But elements of the show-what-you-know profile system could linger as schools make the transition. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports...
September 2, 2003 - Eleven new charter schools are opening for business this week, bringing Minnesota's total to 88. The operators of these public schools, which are run independently of the traditional system, say they're eager to meet the educational needs of their students. But they say they're under increasing pressure to also keep their financial books balanced. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports...
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July 31, 2003 - Minneapolis schools superintendent Carol Johnson says she's accepted an offer to return to her home state and lead the public school system in Memphis, Tennessee. Johnson has been in the Minneapolis district for nearly 30 years, including six as superintendent. School board leaders say they'll take their time trying to find a qualified successor. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports...
July 31, 2003 -
July 29, 2003 - Officials in the Bush administration are urging area churches and other religious groups to seek out federal money for their local charities. The White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives hosted a daylong conference today Tuesday in Minneapolis on how to compete for billions of dollars in available funds, including money earmarked for public schools. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports...
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