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Commissioner briefs city leaders
Published 3:57pm Wednesday, February 18, 2009Minnesota Education Commissioner Alice Seagren met with education and business leaders in Fergus Falls Wednesday to discuss the impact Gov. Pawlenty’s education proposals could have on the Fergus Falls community.
The governor is proposing an education package worth $160 million, with a focus on bringing Minnesota standards up to par with competitive countries around the world.
It’s communities and school districts like Fergus Falls that will be at the heart of such initiatives, Seagren said.
“We have to re-do and re-tool our education systems,” she said to those gathered with her in the Chamber of Commerce meeting room. “And you guys are on the front lines.”
Seagren stressed the importance of preparing students for a changing workforce, pointing out that those entering the job market are now more likely to be employed by a global company rather than a rural business.
To compete within that global market, Seagren said students’ skills, especially in math and science, will need to be improved. The education system, she said, is responsible for setting high expectations to get students there.
That’s where Gov. Pawlenty’s plan comes in.
His proposal sets aside $41 million to expand Q Comp, a pay for progress model of rewarding teachers whose students show levels of moderate or accelerated improvement, to all school districts throughout the state.
Q Comp has been used in more metropolitan school districts for the past three years, and has seemed to work well for both students and teachers, Seagren said.
“It gives some incentive, honor and reward for what is happening,” she said.
Those districts that adopt Q Comp would see a two percent additional increase in per pupil funding.
The governor is also recommending $2.1 million to be put aside for the Teaching Transformation Act, which calls for more rigorous entrance requirements for college students seeking a degree in education, and offers incentives to draw more teachers into the fields of math and science.
Online education was also a topic of conversation, with plans to include online high school courses into high school graduation standards.
For eighth grade students who are falling behind on math and science standards, the governor is proposing to invest in a Summer of Success program, which would provide an intense summer course designed to help students get on track before entering high school.
Although this proposal is preliminary, Seagren is traveling throughout the state, speaking with business and education representatives to promote community involvement, understanding and support for upcoming changes likely to hit school districts.
