on May 12, 2018

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Educated Teachers Project Launches Statewide Information Campaign

Written by Tom Steward

A new project launched on National Teacher Appreciation Day, Educated Teachers MN aims to inform and empower Minnesota K-12 educators by raising awareness of a U.S. Supreme Court case widely expected to end the forced payment of union dues and fees by teachers and other government employees as a condition of employment. In 2016-2017 Education Minnesota collected over $50 million in dues and fees from 75,000 teachers statewide that were used for collective bargaining, lobbying and advancing the union’s political agenda. But Education Minnesota, AFSCME-5 and other statewide public employee unions are already bracing for the potential loss of thousands of members...

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on May 10, 2018

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Inside the Hornets’ Nest: Edina’s 5-hour school board meeting over the word “frightening”

Written by Catrin Thorman

in Education

The hornets’ nest was stirred up again Tuesday evening when the Edina School Board met to discuss possible disciplinary action against its Vice Chair Sarah Patzloff over a social media post. Around 150 parents and community members—from kids to grandparents—gathered in the hallway of the Edina Community Center to show overwhelming support for Sarah who has served on the school board for six years....

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on May 10, 2018

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Letter to GOP Leadership: No Pre-K Expansion; Preserving the K-12 Mission

Written by Kim Crockett

in Government, Culture, Unions, Families, Education

Dayton is campaigning hard for $138 million “emergency” school funding but he might just settle for more pre-K funding instead. The governor has, in the past, successfully expanded pre-K programs in exchange for getting GOP K-12 education or other priorities passed. We understand that, like children who do not get their way, Gov. Dayton holds his breath until he turns blue, but for the sake of our small children, and the K-12 mission, please deny him this final victory. ...

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on May 08, 2018

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Teacher Appreciation Day: Fun Facts on Average Salaries

Written by Kim Crockett

in Education, Pensions

Minnesota secondary teachers have an average wage of $62,590 plus benefits. Don’t forget that salary is just one part of the equation. You need to add in the cost of providing retirement savings like 403(b), pensions, or both--and then health care. ...

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on May 08, 2018

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National Teacher Appreciation Day: Thank you, teachers!

Written by Catrin Thorman

in Education

National Teacher Appreciation Week kicked off yesterday, but the biggest day for educators is today, May 8, as National Teacher Appreciation Day. On this day, students, parents, and communities around the country get to celebrate teachers and honor all they do. And while showing our appreciation shouldn’t be limited to this week and day, it’s a wonderful opportunity to reflect on how teachers and staff go above to help students go beyond. ...

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on May 04, 2018

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Memo to Legislature: Resist Dayton’s Push for Expansion of “Free” Pre-K

Written by Kim Crockett

in Culture, Unions, Families, Education

The Dayton administration continues its relentless demand for Minnesota to adopt universal Pre-K for all four-year-old’s. There is no danger the legislature will pass universal pre-K this session but GOP leaders might be tempted, as they have in past negotiations, to expand existing programs, adding a few more million here and a few more million there, just to get their K-12 education priorities passed....

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on May 03, 2018

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A message to high school seniors: College is one choice, but it isn’t the only choice

Written by Catrin Thorman

in Great Jobs, Education

For many high school seniors, graduation is less than a month away. There are a lot of emotions that come with this realization: Shock. Panic. Surprise. Excitement. Accompanying such anticipatory angst is the often-dreaded question, “What’s next?” For some, a college education is the next logical step after high school. But it may not be the appropriate path for all students. Nor is it the only way to succeed. ...

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on May 01, 2018

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Teacher workplace democracy is a principle but not a practice

Written by Catrin Thorman

in Education, Employee Freedom

Workplace democracy is, unfortunately, a short-lived promise to teachers in Minnesota. While teachers’ unions often claim to favor a democratic approach to our public education system, teachers are rendered mute when it comes to choosing their own union. Workplace democracy is a principle, not a practice. ...

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on April 30, 2018

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What Middle School Students Need to Know about Great Jobs Without a Four-Year Degree

Written by Mitch Pearlstein

in Great Jobs, Education

Knowing of American Experiment’s project, “Great Jobs Without a Four-Year Degree,” a producer at Minnesota Public Radio recently sent us the printed version of a very good story written by Ashley Gross and Jon Marcus for National Public Radio titled “High-Paying Trade Jobs Sit Empty, While High School Grads Line Up for University.” The two reporters write: In contrast to men and women with four-year degrees, “People with career and technical educations are . . . significantly more likely to be working in their fields of study.” ...

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on April 28, 2018

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Young Communists of Minnetonka

Written by John Hinderaker

in Liberalism, Education

There is a large rock outside Minnetonka High School, where painting the rock apparently is a tradition. Last week, some students painted an American flag on the rock. They also added patriotic messages on the sidewalk, like a "Don't Tread On Me" flag. That brought a response from the Minnetonka Leftist Union, a high school group. The Minnetonka Leftists proudly display the hammer and sickle of Communism as well as the fascist "A" symbol on their Twitter feed: This is the Minnetonka Leftists' tweet about the American flag: Fascists covered the rock and sprayed the sidewalk with militaristic and nationalistic symbols. A...

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