FREE SPEECH ZONE | We Take S.H.O.T.s

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There are only so many things that will get a college student motivated enough to wake up at 7:00 on a Saturday morning and walk 5k on an autumn day in Minnesota when it is barely above freezing te

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Connecting parents, educators, and others who work with people with developmental disabilities

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Educators, psychologists, social workers, and behavioral therapists were all part of the mix. Moms, however, comprised the largest portion of the audience at an October 8 Get Connected! community meeting focused on the importance of addressing challenging behaviors early in life. This helps children with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience full inclusion as they grow up, then fit more successfully into the workplace as adults, participate fully in the community, and lead happy, productive lives.Although it’s not widely known, people with developmental disabilities constitute one of the largest disability groups in North America. One out of every 10 Americans has a family member with a developmental disability. Families often feel isolated, which is where The Arc comes in. The Get Connected! Continue Reading

Minnesota Karen community celebrates warm St. Paul welcome

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“Minnesota may be cold, but the hearts are warm,” said Priscilla Aung, one of the first Karen refugees to arrive in Minnesota more than ten years ago. Now, approximately 6,500 Karen live in the state, making St. Paul home to the fastest growing Karen population in the United States.The Karen are an ethnic group from the mountainous border region of Burma and Thailand, where they are the second largest ethnic group in each country. The community has suffered a tragic history of being persecuted by the Burmese military junta for over 60 years. Several hundred refugees from other ethnic groups in Burma, including the Kachin, Mon, and Shan, have also made Minnesota their home. Continue Reading

10th graders can take free college career tech class, info from MCTC and Anoka Tech

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If they register by August 1, Minnesota’s 10th graders can take a free career technical class on a college campus. This is a historic expansion of Minnesota’s Post Secondary Enrollment Options law, first adopted in 1985.  And high school students helped produce You Tube Videos in English, Spanish, Arabic Hmong and Somali providing information about Post Secondary Options. Continue Reading

Urban schools: Adults taking responsibility

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On a lovely spring evening over 100 people stayed inside to listen to five educations experts talk about education policy in the Twin Cities schools. Participants did not give up the great weather for a dry policy wonk debate. Instead, they were treated to a spirited and civil panel discussion sponsored by the McKnight Foundation and the Urban Education Institute (UEI) at the University of Chicago.

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