School Talk

Joe Nathan, formerly a Minnesota public school teacher, administrator and PTA president, directs the Center for School Change. Email him at joe [at] centerforschoolchange [dot] org

Thousands of families shifting to Minnesota charter public schools

by Joe Nathan, 6/23/08 • Minneapolis charter schools like Sojourner Truth and Minnesota Transitions and Harvest Prep are part of a strong trend in Minnesota public education. Thousands of families, especially low income, limited English speaking and families of color are shifting their youngsters from district to charter public school schools. Last year, the net gain of charter enrollment set a new record of more than 4,000 students, while enrollment in district public schools continued to decrease.MORE »

Perpich Art Center—An awesome but underused resource

by Joe Nathan, 6/13/08 • Anoka veteran teacher Kevan Nitzberg and Deanna Gotschall, a younger music teacher from Forest Lake agree. As Gotschall told me, ”it’s a very good resource that helps save us money.” But while many Minnesota art teachers praise the Perpich Center, it appears to be an under-used library for the general public. MORE »

Apology to St. Olaf and Minnesota students

by Joe Nathan, 6/5/08 • Several weeks ago I wrote a column with a serious mistake. The column discussed what I felt, and feel, is a major, mostly undiscussed problem in Minnesota – shockingly low graduation rates at many of our colleges and universities. There’s plenty of evidence on this that I’ll share later in the column. But my earlier column provided inaccurate information about St. Olaf College. For that, I apologize to you, the readers, St.Olaf, and to anyone who may have formed an opinion about that college, based on what I wrote. MORE »

Helping in Hugo and other places

by Joe Nathan, 5/30/08 • Is kindness contagious? I’m not sure. But recent stories about folks helping out after Hugo’s tornado showed Minnesotans at our best, after some of our worst weather. Helping others, whether after a tornado, a stalled car or other problem, is one of the things we do best. Because kindness, like many other things is learned, why not build a bit of it into summer plans with our kids. MORE »

Honoring strong students

by Joe Nathan, 5/23/08 • Could Minneapolis and other metro communities do the kind of high school graduation party that St. Paul did last week? I sure hope so, because adults sent very powerful, positive messages to some of the area’s strongest students: “We value your hard work. We honor your persistence. We will help you succeed.” MORE »

Shocking statistics about Minnesota college/university graduation rates

by Joe Nathan, 5/16/08 • A recent, little-noticed report provides some stunning, even shocking information about Minnesota's colleges and universities. While a great deal of attention rightly has focused on our K-12 system, "Minnesota Measures: 2008 Report on Higher Education Performance," by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education shows that improvements also are needed urgently in higher education. MORE »

Student writers show how to destroy walls and build bridges

by Joe Nathan • Strong writers like Alesha Horn, Natalie Gaffney and Jolene Bruska offer stunning honesty and insight. They help us be more open and compassionate. That’s part of these reason that almost 400 parents, grandparents, teachers, students, and state legislators came to the steps of Minnesota’s state capitol last week to honor them. These and about 20 other young people had written essays judged best from more than 900 submitted to the Center for School Change, where I work. We are eager to promote writing and thinking, which is a part of every good piece of writing. MORE »

College student challenges columnist, college and high school faculty

by Joe Nathan, 5/3/08 • Ashley Luginbill, a 2007 Elk River High School graduate recently wrote a wise and thoughtful challenge to my column about remedial courses in Minnesota universities. She began, “I agree with all your main points; however I think it isn't just about the students needing to challenge themselves more.” MORE »

How much impact from an eloquent report?

• by Joe Nathan, 4/25/08 • Our house was dark, and it should not have been. I wondered what the problem was. For the last week in spring, 1985, I’d been meeting with state governors and their staffs about key education problems and solutions. It was heady stuff. Now, I was home, eager to see my wife and our three young children. MORE »

Dumb, fun questions and family reading

by Joe Nathan, 4/18/08 • How do you make oil boil? (Add a b) What is the best thing to wear to a tea party? (A tea shirt) How many worms can you put in an empty can? (One. After that it is not empty). How do you make seven even? (Take away the “s”. What has four eyes but cannot see? (Mississippi) If you are now groaning, I apologize. This week I’m departing from the usual discussion of educational issues to describe several wonderful, brightly illustrated inexpensive books that families, schools and kids (ages 4 to 6 or 7) will have lots of fun with. MORE »