SciMathMN

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Minnesota STEM Teacher Center
  • Minnesota STEM Network
  • Science
  • Technology
  • Engineering
  • Mathematics
  • MN STEM Teacher Center Banner
  • MN STEM NETWORK BANNER
  • WILDER_STEM

MDE delays Science and English Language Arts standards by a year

April 6, 2021 by Jim Davnie

The Minnesota Department of Education has chosen to delay implementation of the new state academic standards in Science and Language Arts by one year until the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years, respectively.  The Department cited a goal of providing schools flexibility as the state emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic.  MDE stated that their authority allowed in the rulemaking process allows for this delay.

The planned update to the state’s standardized tests, the MCA-IV will also be delayed a year.  The new Science test for grades five, eight, and high school will be administered for the first time in the spring of 2026.  The Reading MCA-IV for grades three through eight and high school will be delayed until spring of 2026.

 

The new state standards in the Arts and Phy Ed will move forward with implementation on their current timeline. There is however legislation currently being considered to delay the implementation of those standards as well.  The legislature must adjourn by May 17.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Professional Educators Licensing and Standards Board Provides Flexibility for Science Teachers and Schools

March 19, 2021 by Jim Davnie

March 19 the Professional Educators Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) approved a resolution providing Tier 3 and 4 science teachers and their schools greater flexibility to support the implementation of the new state science standards in science.

The flexibility recognizes the 2019 state science standards shift the teaching of earth and space science from 8th grade to 6th grade, and physical science classes from high school to 8th grade.  This poses challenges for some teachers and schools depending on the teacher’s exact licensure.  The PELSB resolution allows for out of field permission for teachers to teach in a science content area or grade outside the scope of their current licensure.  These out of field placements do not require the position posting normally required of schools and do not count towards a teacher’s lifetime maximum out of field placements.

Examples of the application of this flexibility provided by PELSB            include

  • A Tier 4 teacher who holds a 7 -12 Earth and Space Science license: The district and teacher would like the teacher to teach Earth & Space Science at the 6th grade level during the 2021-22 school year.
  • A Tier 4 teacher who holds a 7 -12 Earth and Space Science license: The district and teacher would like the teacher to teach Physical Science at the 8th grade level during the 2021-22 school year.
  • A Tier 3 or Tier 4 teacher who holds either a 9 – 12 Physics or 9 – 12 Chemistry license: The district and teacher would like the teacher to teach Physical Science at the 8th grade level during the 2021-22 school year.

This resolution will remain in effect while the board develops new rules in response to changes driven by the new science standards.

PELSB can be found online at https://mn.gov/pelsb/ and questions regarding this resolution can be submitted at pelsb@state.mn.us.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

SciMathMN hosts series of Twitter chats on STEM issues

February 15, 2021 by Jim Davnie

Looking to further engage the Minnesota STEM ecosystem SciMathMN will be hosting, with our partners in Project Lead the Way, a series of Twitter chats on key issues in the field today. All chats will be hosted at the hashtag #mnstemchat. The series kicks off Thursday, February 18, 7:00 p.m., with … [Continue reading...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Earth Science Standards Changes Brings New Professional Development Opportunities

February 4, 2021 by Jim Davnie

As Minnesota teachers’ phase in the new academic standards in science some of the most significant changes are about what and at which grade level Minnesota teaches earth science.  To support those teachers looking to strengthen their practice and use more place-based approaches the Minnesota … [Continue reading...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized

2020 Election Preview

October 22, 2020 by Jim Davnie

The Election is just around the corner, November 3rd and a lot of choices are on the ballots of Minnesotans.  The absentee ballot process in Minnesota has been expanded due to COVID and already over 1 million Minnesotans have cast their ballot.  There are significant races both at the State and … [Continue reading...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized

SciMathMN releases STEM Teacher Center user survey

October 21, 2020 by Jim Davnie

SciMathMN helped to create and has sustained the existence of the Minnesota STEM Teacher Center (a.k.a. The Frameworks) website since it was created in 2011. The website represents a partnership with the Minnesota Department of Education to explain and provide resources in support of the current … [Continue reading...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Next Page »

Mission

SciMathMN advocates for effective, engaging, and rigorous STEM education opportunities for all Minnesota students, preparing them for citizenship, career, and college.

STEM Resources

2011 Science and Mathematics Frameworks at the Visit MN STEM Network!


Visit MN STEM Network!

SCI MATH MN | GiveMN newslettersubscribe
SciMathMN
Log in for Board Materials
  • Publications
  • Policy
  • Business
  • Educators
  • Parents

SciMathMN gratefully acknowledges the financial support from the following foundations to enable SciMathMN to develop and maintain its website and create stronger public awareness of STEM education and workforce issues:

3MEcolabHB Fullerst jude medical
mn_dept_education_logo_sm_v2Bush-AltLogo-Color
© SciMathMN 2008-2021 | 2038 Ford Parkway, #299 | St Paul, MN 55116 | info@scimathmn.org