Posted inEDUCATION Why did Minneapolis Public Schools close Tuesday for ‘technical difficulties’? by Becky Z. Dernbach February 21, 2023February 22, 2023
Posted inNEWS PARTNERS 16-year-old charged with murder in St. Paul Harding High stabbing by MPR News Staff February 14, 2023February 14, 2023
Posted inEDUCATION ‘We cannot let this tragic event define us’: Harding High School community gathers to grieve in wake of student’s killing by Becky Z. Dernbach February 13, 2023February 14, 2023
Posted inEDUCATION Minnesota House passes free school meals, funds food shelves by Brian Bakst February 10, 2023March 14, 2023
Posted inEDUCATION Art history professor moves to dismiss federal lawsuit against Hamline, plans to file new suit by Becky Z. Dernbach February 9, 2023February 9, 2023
Posted inEDUCATION ‘Female autonomy’ versus ‘betrayal’: Macalester closes, then reopens, art gallery after pushback from Muslim students by Becky Z. Dernbach February 8, 2023February 9, 2023
Posted inEDUCATION Banned for 60 years in Myanmar, Karen language classes make public school debut in St. Paul by Becky Z. Dernbach February 3, 2023February 3, 2023
Posted inEDUCATION Hamline video reveals painting of Prophet Muhammad was visible to students before trigger warning by Anika Besst and Becky Z. Dernbach January 27, 2023January 27, 2023
Posted inEDUCATION Hamline faculty call for resignation of President Fayneese Miller by Becky Z. Dernbach January 24, 2023January 24, 2023
Posted inEDUCATION Hamline’s Muslim students return to campus with a plea for understanding by Becky Z. Dernbach January 24, 2023January 24, 2023
Posted inEDUCATION Former Hamline professor Erika López Prater sues for religious discrimination, defamation by Nina Moini January 18, 2023January 18, 2023
Posted inEDUCATION Family of Deshaun Hill Jr. calls for criminal investigation of North High principal Mauri Friestleben. by Becky Z. Dernbach January 17, 2023January 19, 2023
Posted inEDUCATION Brooklyn Center’s diverse schools have cut suspensions and absenteeism in half. What’s their secret? by Becky Z. Dernbach January 17, 2023December 5, 2023
Posted inNEWS PARTNERS Hamline student, former instructor debate displaying the Prophet Muhammad’s image by Nina Moini January 11, 2023January 18, 2023
Posted inEDUCATION In bittersweet documentary screening, Lucy Laney community pays tribute to Deshaun Hill, Jr. by Becky Z. Dernbach January 6, 2023January 9, 2023
Posted inPOLITICS Top 10 most-read stories of 2022: Feeding Our Future, COVID, and education by Sahan Journal December 30, 2022January 2, 2023
Posted inEDUCATION Top 5 education stories of 2022: A historic educators strike in Minneapolis leads to lasting impacts, and a teacher of the year calls it quits. by Becky Z. Dernbach December 26, 2022January 2, 2023
Posted inHEALTH Deadline looms for community health worker scholarships at St. Catherine University by Joey Peters December 20, 2022January 6, 2023
Posted inENVIRONMENT St. Paul school board ends $9 million investment in fossil fuels, citing equity and justice by Estelle Timar-Wilcox December 16, 2022December 16, 2022
Posted inNEWS PARTNERS U students want Sviggum to quit regents over Morris remarks, ‘insincere’ apology by MPR News Staff December 14, 2022December 14, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Fears over LGBTQ school policies overflow at jammed meeting of Somali parents in Burnsville by Abdirahman Mohamed and Becky Z. Dernbach December 13, 2022December 14, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Somali families debate new transgender policy in Burnsville schools. by Becky Z. Dernbach December 12, 2022December 15, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION ‘Our winner, by unanimous decision!’: Minneapolis 5th grader Lavendar Nelson claims her seventh national boxing championship. by Becky Z. Dernbach December 9, 2022December 12, 2022
Posted inNEWS PARTNERS Community college students squeezed by inflation by Abbey Machtig December 8, 2022December 8, 2022
Posted inNEWS PARTNERS Faribault school board accepts $1.1 million anti-drug grant aimed at students of color by Eder Campuzano December 6, 2022December 6, 2022
Posted inNEWS PARTNERS St. Cloud schools offer state’s first Somali language immersion program by Kirsti Marohn November 28, 2022December 1, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Lavendar Nelson has a plan to win more U.S. championships than any woman in boxing history. First, she has to finish 5th grade. by Becky Z. Dernbach November 23, 2022November 30, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Minnesota schools must offer same meals to students, regardless of lunch debt, attorney general rules by Becky Z. Dernbach November 18, 2022November 18, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Qorsho Hassan: Education reform begins with our students. by Qorsho Hassan November 18, 2022November 18, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Top Minnesota Democrats pledge ‘substantial increase’ in school funding by Becky Z. Dernbach November 17, 2022November 16, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION North Minneapolis elementary school launches observatory, with NASA astronaut’s help. by Alex Chhith November 10, 2022November 10, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Minneapolis School Board to get five new members by Becky Z. Dernbach November 8, 2022October 24, 2023
Posted inEDUCATION Reading, writing, and legislating: Educators of color seek to shape Minnesota schools from the state Capitol. by Becky Z. Dernbach November 3, 2022November 7, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Here’s how to apply for student loan forgiveness through a new online application. by Nikhil Kumaran October 17, 2022October 20, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Sharpen your pencils: Here’s your study guide to electing the next Minneapolis school board by Becky Z. Dernbach October 7, 2022October 7, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION KerryJo Felder: ‘We should be opening up our schools to the community’ by Becky Z. Dernbach October 7, 2022October 7, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Lori Norvell: ‘I’m a recent former educator and a parent, so I can see this from different lenses.’ by Becky Z. Dernbach October 7, 2022November 1, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Laurelle Myhra wants to see Minneapolis schools ‘partnering with culturally responsive organizations already doing really good work’ by Becky Z. Dernbach October 7, 2022October 7, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Abdul Abdi: ‘I am someone who can collaborate, listen, and make sure that our kids have a good future.’ by Becky Z. Dernbach October 7, 2022October 7, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Collin Beachy: ‘I’m a teacher. Right now, we don’t feel like anyone has our back.’ by Becky Z. Dernbach October 7, 2022October 24, 2023
Posted inEDUCATION Lisa Skjefte: ‘I can bring community voice, and I have experience with system change.’ by Becky Z. Dernbach October 7, 2022October 7, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Sonya Emerick: ‘The first thing we need to do is actually address the inequities.’ by Becky Z. Dernbach October 7, 2022October 24, 2023
Posted inNEWS PARTNERS Library, mural honors former St. Paul School Board Chair Marny Xiong. by MPR News Staff September 30, 2022February 27, 2023
Posted inNEWS PARTNERS Students, staff say cultural competency is key for Minnesota educators. by Eder Campuzano September 29, 2022September 29, 2022
Posted inNEWS PARTNERS Minnesota appeals court rules that racial imbalance in Twin Cities schools doesn’t violate constitution unless intentional. by Kirsti Marohn September 27, 2022September 27, 2022
Posted inNEWS PARTNERS Willmar schools hire teachers from the Philippines, Nicarauga to address shortage. by Hannah Yang September 12, 2022September 12, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION A bunny with too much energy. A kangaroo with separation anxiety. Minneapolis fourth-graders shake back-to-school jitters with help from animal friends by Becky Z. Dernbach September 7, 2022September 7, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION ‘Representation matters’: Burnsville elementary school welcomes Minnesota’s first female Somali American principal. by Becky Z. Dernbach September 7, 2022September 7, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION St. Paul opens nation’s first Hmong language and culture middle school by Becky Z. Dernbach September 7, 2022September 7, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION ‘It’s going to be a really good year, InshaAllah!’: The first day of school in the Twin Cities brings excitement, fear, and new locker combinations. by Becky Z. Dernbach September 6, 2022September 7, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Worried about teacher shortages in Minnesota? School districts have an answer: Come apply for a job. by Becky Z. Dernbach September 2, 2022September 7, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION What you need to know to register your Minnesota K–12 student for free school meals by Becky Z. Dernbach September 1, 2022September 1, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Black girl magic is real. Meet the St. Paul educator who has discovered the secret to unlocking student ‘superpowers’ in the classroom. by Becky Z. Dernbach August 29, 2022August 30, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION ‘People are in tears about all the new possibilities’: Ilhan Omar reflects on the historic fight to cancel student loans and what it means for people like her. by Becky Z. Dernbach August 24, 2022August 24, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Lawsuit alleges that new policy protecting Minneapolis Public Schools teachers of color from layoffs discriminates against white teachers. by Joey Peters August 24, 2022August 24, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION President Biden announced a historic student loan forgiveness plan on Wednesday. Here’s what you need to know to relieve your student debt. by Becky Z. Dernbach August 24, 2022September 29, 2023
Posted inEDUCATION Ryn Alicia lived in her car during college; a new program for foster youth could give her and others stability and success. by Farrah Mina August 16, 2022August 18, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION New Minneapolis summer school program helps immigrant high-schoolers. by Mara Klecker August 15, 2022August 15, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Drums explode and saxophones wail at a north Minneapolis band camp paying homage to the high-energy stylings of Black colleges and universities. by Becky Z. Dernbach August 2, 2022August 3, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION We asked three teachers of color in Minnesota why they’re leaving their jobs. Their answers are personal—and surprising. by Becky Z. Dernbach July 11, 2022July 11, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Two years ago, Qorsho Hassan became the first Somali American to win Minnesota Teacher of the Year. In June, Qorsho announced she’s leaving the classroom. What happened? by Becky Z. Dernbach July 11, 2022December 21, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION The University of Minnesota fails to deliver on making Juneteenth a university holiday. by Noor Adwan June 16, 2022June 16, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION The Class of 2022 expected a lot of hard work, but not a pandemic, a nationwide racial reckoning, major mental health challenges, or a teachers strike. Still, many of them found a way to flourish. by Becky Z. Dernbach June 8, 2022June 8, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION High school senior Laichia Vang wants to change how English language learners are taught. That starts with listening to students’ stories, which Laichia compiled into a new book. by Becky Z. Dernbach June 7, 2022June 7, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Is ‘ethnic studies’ an attempt to indoctrinate Minnesota’s schools with anti-American values? We visited a classroom in Rochester to find out. by Becky Z. Dernbach June 6, 2022October 24, 2024
Posted inEDUCATION ‘We shouldn’t have to separate being Black from our profession’: A Minneapolis teacher weighs the cost of battling the white education hierarchy—and her own union. by Becky Z. Dernbach May 20, 2022May 20, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Sarah Lancaster becomes first educator of Asian/Pacific Islander heritage to win Minnesota Teacher of the Year by Becky Z. Dernbach May 1, 2022May 1, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Flora Yang is ready to lead. When she becomes student-body president at the University of Minnesota on July 1, she’ll focus on making sure students’ voices are heard in administration offices. by Katelyn Vue April 29, 2022April 29, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Parents and students rallied to save Newport Elementary. Then, in a packed meeting, the South Washington County school board voted 6–1 to close the school and proceed with a massive building plan. by Becky Z. Dernbach April 22, 2022August 9, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION South Washington County Schools wants to spend $462 million to accommodate its booming enrollment. The district also plans to close its most diverse elementary school. by Becky Z. Dernbach April 20, 2022April 21, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Why don’t Minnesota schools ever seem to have enough money? We asked House education-committee chair Jim Davnie how we got here and how to fix it. by Becky Z. Dernbach April 12, 2022April 12, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION ‘They’ve got to be able to speak Dakota at the Mall of America’: Prairie Island sends its first student team to the Dakota language bowl. by Catharine Richert April 7, 2022April 7, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Ed Graff, superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools, announces plan to leave the district in June by Becky Z. Dernbach March 30, 2022March 30, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Minneapolis teachers and district reach tentative deal to end strike after three weeks. Agreement includes raises, class-size caps, mental-health spending—and a lot of unfinished business. by Becky Z. Dernbach March 25, 2022March 26, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Minneapolis school board chair Kim Ellison expects a deal with educators Thursday night or Friday morning to end a 13-day strike. by Becky Z. Dernbach March 24, 2022March 24, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Minneapolis Public Schools and educators resume mediation Thursday to resolve stalled contract talks. Educators say they’re hopeful they can settle their differences today. by Becky Z. Dernbach March 24, 2022March 24, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION As Minneapolis educators’ strike stretches on, even parents and kids who support striking teachers long to return to school. by Becky Z. Dernbach March 22, 2022March 22, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION What’s the biggest obstacle to ending the Minneapolis teachers strike? The district says it’s increased spending requests for mental-health services. by Becky Z. Dernbach March 22, 2022March 22, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Strikeblog Week 3: Minneapolis educators say the district is getting close to an acceptable contract offer. The district says it’s made a final offer to support staff. The Minneapolis teachers strike continues. by Becky Z. Dernbach March 21, 2022March 22, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Food service workers reach tentative contract agreement with Minneapolis Public Schools, averting a strike planned for March 28 by Becky Z. Dernbach March 17, 2022March 18, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION An open gym, Legos, a church drop-in center, and a sit-in at district headquarters: how North High students are staying busy during the Minneapolis educator strike by Becky Z. Dernbach March 15, 2022March 18, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Strikeblog Week Two: Striking educators and Minneapolis Public Schools describe (limited, halting) progress in contract negotiations. by Becky Z. Dernbach March 14, 2022March 14, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Minneapolis Public Schools outline strike’s effects on school calendar by Becky Z. Dernbach March 11, 2022March 11, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Teachers in Minneapolis’ adult English literacy and GED program earn less than their K–12 counterparts. They say the low pay is causing an “exodus” of teachers and reducing available classes. by Becky Z. Dernbach March 11, 2022March 12, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Kim Ellison, the Minneapolis school board chair, shares her approach to union negotiations by Becky Z. Dernbach March 10, 2022March 11, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Strikeblog! All the latest news on the Minneapolis teacher strike: rallies, negotiations, and another day without classes by Becky Z. Dernbach March 9, 2022March 11, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Minneapolis educators hit the picket line for the second day. “Stability on the Northside is a question of racial justice,” one striking teacher said. by Becky Z. Dernbach March 9, 2022March 11, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Minneapolis Public Schools and educators union resumed talks for first time in two days—and broke them off 90 minutes later. by Becky Z. Dernbach March 9, 2022March 11, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Striking Minneapolis educators rallied at the Capitol, called for education funding, and sang “Purple Rain.” Some non-unionized educators, and their students, joined them. by Becky Z. Dernbach March 9, 2022March 10, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Minneapolis teacher salaries have fallen behind pay in other big Minnesota districts, nonpartisan researcher says. by Becky Z. Dernbach March 9, 2022March 11, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Strikeblog Day Four: Negotiations continue, educators canvass, and district outlines school makeup day policy. by Becky Z. Dernbach March 7, 2022March 11, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Classroom duties are piling up. Mental health needs are skyrocketing. But pay hasn’t budged. Why Minneapolis and St. Paul educational assistants are ready to strike. by Becky Z. Dernbach February 25, 2022December 22, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Minneapolis and St. Paul educators plan to strike March 8 if no agreements are reached before then. What you need to know. by Becky Z. Dernbach February 18, 2022March 10, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION ‘A joyful moment’: For the first time, some Minnesota school districts add Eid to the calendar by Becky Z. Dernbach February 11, 2022April 14, 2023
Posted inEDUCATION Half of all Minnesota community college students struggle to pay for housing. And now, a pandemic rental-assistance program is ending. Students of color and college administrators say they need solutions. by Becky Z. Dernbach February 7, 2022February 7, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Burnsville charter school director takes leave of absence following fraud allegations in Feeding Our Future investigation. by Becky Z. Dernbach February 3, 2022February 23, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION With the Omicron variant, teacher absences are way up. But what’s happening with students is… interesting. by Becky Z. Dernbach January 21, 2022January 21, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Teach in person? COVID causes chaos. Teach remotely? Kids suffer. Minnesota’s teachers of color say that Omicron presents schools with bad options and impossible choices. by Becky Z. Dernbach January 13, 2022January 13, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Moriah Stephens, special education teacher: ‘We just had a staff member die of COVID that was contact-traced to school.’ by Becky Z. Dernbach January 13, 2022January 14, 2022
Posted inEDUCATION Averi M. Turner, second-grade teacher: ‘Seven students showed up yesterday. I’m hoping for better tomorrow’ by Becky Z. Dernbach January 13, 2022January 14, 2022