The human brain develops rapidly in the first five years of life. High-quality early learning experiences can have a profound and lasting positive effect on young children during these years, setting the stage for success in kindergarten and beyond. This is especially true for young children with high needs who are from low-income families; who…

The Minnesota Higher Education Coordinating Commission has formulated a statement as the guiding philosophy for its deliberations on Minnesota's long-range, comprehensive higher education plans. The Commission's basic position for viewing higher education in Minnesota during the next 10 years involves (1) the development of human resources through…

A statewide "Dialogue in Education" in Minnesota--beginning with "town meetings"--has helped policymakers to find strategies and programs to focus on adults' and students' objectives. Citizens' priorities include the basic skills, maintaining the current curriculum, and improved graduation competencies. (CJH)

Reports results of statewide studies in Minnesota to determine curriculum goals and desired outcomes for secondary home economics. The conceptual frameworks of home and family are outlined, and a list of content areas and essential learner outcomes for each is provided. (SK)

Three projects have been undertaken in Minnesota to define standards for student outcomes in postsecondary institutions. The Minnesota Higher Education Coordinating Board has focused on outcomes, standards, and criteria which may be used as templates for student assessment. The first project followed the publication of the State Department of…

Reasons for the importance of using technology in education and problems encountered by Minnesota schools in maximizing the potential of modern technology are discussed in the introduction to this report, which also summarizes actions taken by the state legislature to support technology utilization, inservice training for the use of technology,…

The bases and need for Minnesota's family oriented services for hearing impaired preschoolers are stated. Guidelines specify program objectives and standards, and describe the instructional and comprehensive programs. The need for parent involvement is considered along with parent counseling and guidance. Also delineated are site, personnel…

Within the educational reform debate, there is general agreement that the development of high academic standards is an important first step toward improving academic outcomes. This report highlights the standards initiatives being implemented in Colorado, Delaware, Minnesota, and South Carolina. All four states have made substantial progress in…

Divided into four sections, this guide has been compiled to answer the most frequently asked questions about music education in Minnesota and to provide a consistent, uniform base of information for all schools and districts. The first section, "Curriculum and Evaluation," describes resources available to educators and administrators…

As background for the development of a new regulation for certification of social studies teachers in the state of Minnesota, a Task Force identified desired social studies outcomes in the affective domain. These goals for student attitudinal change are listed. The paper includes detailed suggestions for specific teacher behaviors indicative of…

This publication defines "service learning" as an instructional strategy in which students are involved in experiential education in real-life settings and where they apply academic knowledge and previous experience to meet real community needs. The publication is intended for persons who are interested in enriching learning through…

Characteristics of the Minnesota Statewide Educational Assessment Program, initiated by the state department of education, are: stratified student samples based on five sizes and types of school districts; assessment of academic subject areas in periodic cycles; subject area objectives cooperatively planned with the curriculum unit in the…

In this paper identification is made by a Task Force working to develop a new regulation for certification of social studies teachers in the state of Minnesota of desired outcomes for social studies education. Focus in Part One is on community-specific goals for students in the cognitive and affective domains and in skill development. The paper…

A new certification regulation for social studies teachers in the state of Minnesota has been developed by a Task Force to Study Programs Leading to Certification of Teachers in the Areas of Social Studies. This Position Paper includes the rationale for a competency-based certification program and an analysis of the regulation, including…

A study examined the condition of vocational education in correctional institutions in Minnesota. A literature review was conducted, and surveys were sent to 57 instructors and 18 supervisors of vocational education in correctional institutions throughout Minnesota. Forty-one of 57 instructors (72%) and all 18 supervisors (100%) completed the…