Because of low voter turnout among its members in the last midterm election in 2014, Education Minnesota launched an extensive and well-funded get-out-the-vote effort in 2018....
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Inspired by Mike Antonucci's "Top 10 Most Memorable Teacher Union Quotes of 2018," I wanted to share some memorable quotes from teachers and others who voiced support of the Janus v. AFSCME case while teachers' unions spoke out against it....
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Watergate concluded in 1974 with Richard Nixon’s resignation. A year later, in 1975, a scholar by the name of Warren Bennis wrote a Watergate-inspired essay with the fun name, “Meet Me in Macy’s Window.” Forty-four years later, which is to say last month, the essay’s pertinence to the University of Minnesota’s recently completed presidential search is perfect. Bennis, who died in 2014 at age 89, was a great organizational theorist; one of the few whose theories I’ve ever been able to retain for more than ten minutes at a time. Meaning, he wrote exceptionally well, often with humor. He also was a...
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Around 40 percent of students who enroll in four-year colleges and universities don’t graduate within six years. This leaves them saddled with debt and no degree that will help them get a better job to pay for it. ...
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A friend of mine sent me a YouTube video of U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) berating Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. He fairly characterized it as “full frontal Madame Mao.” It was hard to watch all eight minutes; I kept looking ahead for a response from DeVos, but in eight minutes the Secretary of Education never got a word in to discuss, well, education policy. It is an old video (from June of 2017) but I think it is typical of what passes for a congressional hearing these days. My friend went on to note that Senator Murray often uses her position to...
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Minnesota educators looking for a non-partisan, non-union option to provide them with liability insurance, job protection coverage, and professional development have excellent options to choose from. The Association of American Educators (AAE)—the largest national, non-union, professional educator organization—has become a premier option for teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, education support staff, and college professors interested in belonging to an association that empowers educators to advocate for themselves and their students....
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The University of Minnesota has proposed a $1,000 per semester surcharge for new undergraduate students in the College of Science and Engineering, supposedly to enable the high-demand school to expand. The charge also would apply to College of Liberal Arts students majoring in certain science fields. No wonder more and more people are seeking trades instead of a university higher education. The science surcharge would cost incoming engineering students an additional $8,000 over the course of a four year program, which represents a 14.5 percent increase over normal tuition for that time period. The university defended the science tax, by stating the U is...
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In the same week that President George H. W. Bush is being rightfully revered for his modesty, it’s in questionable taste for me to start any blog by saying, “I told you so.” But in the matter of my predicting (“Why Eric Kaler’s Successor Will be a Rookie,” September 19) that the new University of Minnesota president would not previously have served as a college or university president, I told you so. This takes nothing away from the talent and accomplishments of Joan Gabel and her certain appointment. I wish her great success. The point to be made, rather, is that...
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Editor: The following essay by American Experiment Founder and Senior Fellow Mitch Pearlstein, “Poverty, Culture & Marriage,” was released as part of “The Tenth Annual Celebration of John Brandl and His Uncommon Quest for Common Ground,” on November 26, at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. The essay is one of four in a new anthology, Grasping and Reducing Poverty in Minnesota, with the other three by Stephen B. Young of the Caux Round Table, Angelica Klebsch of the Citizens League, and Dane Smith of Growth & Justice. Featured speakers at the event were Tonya Allen...
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Minnesota’s new teacher licensure reforms bring effective improvements to a previously badly broken and complex licensing system. Finally, after a seven-year effort, the state’s teacher licensing system has been overhauled with the adoption of a four-tiered licensure system that took effect October 27....
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