Twin Cities Daily Planet (https://www.tcdailyplanet.net/author/joe-nathan/page/10/)
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.
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.
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.”
• 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.
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.
by Joe Nathan, 4/3/08 • America has moved ahead because of the courage of everyday folks. Last week I wrote about the courage of Iraq soldier Pete Hegseth and Forest Lake Principal Steve Massey. This week the focus turns to nine high school students, who, 50 years ago, shocked and stirred America. They have become known as the “Little Rock Nine.”
by Joe Nathan, 3/29/08 • Can cooperation join with courage in Forest Lake? Based on conversations with Steve Massey, Principal at Forest Lake High School and Pete Hegseth, Executive Director of Vets for Freedom, I think the answer could be “yes.” If so, Forest Lake High School, and other students around the state will get a huge gift.
by Joe Nathan, 3/22/08 • How were things like cars, computers, and cell phones created? They were developed by people who started over, questioning current assumptions. Inventors of the automobile did not just trying to develop a stronger horse to pull a wagon. I mention this because of some responses to a recent column I wrote, describing the possibilities of UMORE Park, a “new community” that the University of Minnesota will create in the Rosemount area over the next twenty five years.
by Joe Nathan, 2/2008 • “We’re trying to do something that’s never been done at this scale before.” That’s how E. Thomas Sullivan described the UMore Park plans that the University of Minnesota is developing in the southern Twin Cities metro area, near Rosemount. On a twelve-mile square area, with more than 5000 acres, the University hopes to create model communities for more than 30,000 families. And if the plans are fulfilled, it will be a living demonstration of the world’s finest ideas in ecology, education and economic development.
by Joe Nathan, 3/14/08 • “I need to know about this!” That’s what Sheri Demou, a Lakeville parent told me about a workshop she recently attended about Youngsters and the Internet. Demou was one of more than 150 people who attended a terrific Saturday morning Parent Fair, put on by the Lakeville and Farmington school districts. More than a dozen workshops covered an array of topics. While the workshop happened in a suburb, the topics certainly also apply to urban families.