Intrigued by the four-day school week
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“80-90% of our students, staff and families prefer the 4-day school week to the more traditional five days. Continue Reading
New program helps high school seniors go for something more
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Their brochure asks youngsters, “Do you want fries with that job, or do you want something more?” A fascinating new program named Genesysworks encourages high school seniors to go for something more. There are so many good things about this organization, it’s hard to know where to start.
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What’s next for Minnesota’s Race to the Top?
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What next for a strong Minnesota Race to the Top school-reform proposal that federal officials rejected?
Two to three hundred million dollars for Minnesota public school students schools depend on us successfully answering two questions in the next few months:
a. What is the U.S. Continue Reading
Movie shows how great teachers and courage open doors
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“A door opened, and I walked through it.” That’s a comment from Temple Grandin, subject of a remarkable new Home Box Office (HBO) movie of the same name.
It’s also a testament to the impact of great teaching, which helped open doors for this courageous woman who has autism. Claire Danes as Ms. Continue Reading
Retain, don’t restrict families’ choice in public education
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Have you done any of the following recently? Checked your bank account online, read a newspaper with color pictures, watched a favorite television program, used a cell phone, used an online news source (like this one) or thought about which candidate you prefer for Minnesota governor?
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Silva and other immigrants help Minnesota
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It’s not, but this could easily be the story of an Irish, Italian or Jewish person who arrived in the United States a century ago, speaking no English, and having virtually no money. Instead, this is the story of Valeria Silva, and thousands of other Minnesota immigrants. A fascinating new report, “The Economic Impact of Immigrants in Minnesota,” helps describe their impact in suburbs, greater Minnesota and cities. Continue Reading
School Talk
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Joe Nathan, formerly a Minnesota public school teacher, administrator and PTA president, directs the Center for School Change. Email him at joe@centerforschoolchange.org
Twins triumphs and school success
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by Joe Nathan • 9/26/08 • So I’m sitting here typing this column wearing my Joe Nathan #36 Minnesota Twins t-shirt, a big smile and a bigger question. The smile is for the wonderful courage and comeback that the Twins displayed this week. As you read this column, you will know whether the Twins made the playoffs. The weekend is ahead as I write this column. Having attended several Twins games this season, including their first of their 3 victories over the White Sox, I know how much joy sports can generate.
Al Quie’s life of faith, service and civility
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by Joe Nathan • 9/20/08 • In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Governor Al Quie and Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe battled constantly. Last week, they hugged. Moe and Quie now regard each other as “one of my best friends.” This was one of many stories told as Quie’s new book, Riding into the Sunrise, was presented to the public on his 85th birthday.