October 24, 2024

Sorry for the length of the Headlines…there is a lot to share…

Information Regarding Citizenship and Government Credit Requirement Changes

There have been questions regarding changes for incoming 9th-grade students who have a new credit requirement for citizenship and government. More information follows.

Summary of change: Students will be required to take a course for credit in citizenship and government in 11th or 12th grade beginning with students entering 9th grade in the 2024-25 school year. This course is part of the existing 3.5 credits in social studies and does not increase the credits required to graduate. Students can substitute an advanced placement, international baccalaureate, or other rigorous course on government and citizenship for this requirement.

Students transferring from schools outside of Minnesota with credit for citizenship and government, civics or other related classes completed in 9th or 10th grade will be required to retake a course in citizenship and government in 11th or 12th grade in order to meet graduation requirements.

To meet the requirement, the 11th or 12th grade course must center and prioritize the citizenship and government standards and benchmarks. All other standards from other disciplines that are incorporated into this course must support and enhance the citizenship and government standards and benchmarks. It is imperative that all students are taught and given the opportunity to demonstrate learning in all of the Social Studies benchmarks.

Districts are no longer required to administer the civics test to high school students.

Effective date: Course requirement is effective beginning with the students entering 9th grade in the 2024-25 school year, to coincide with the intended implementation date of the 2021 Academic Standards in Social Studies in 2026-27.

Citizenship and government test repeal effective July 2023.

Statutory references: Minnesota Statutes 2022, Section 120B.024, subdivision 1 (4)

ThoughtExchange Results Regarding Your Priorities for the 2025 MASA Legislative Platform

Fall Conference participants were asked to utilize ThoughtExchange to share their top priorities for this year’s legislative priorities. Following the conference, all MASA members were asked via the Henton Headlines to do the same.

Here is a summary of the results that were shared with the Legislative Committee responsible for drafting the platform.  Thanks to all of you who participated.

Have you Registered for a Budget Reduction & Strategy Session?

I hope you are able to join one of the sessions below to hear from superintendents about their budget situations and how they are engaging their communities. Let’s discuss how we might craft strategies together to ensure lawmakers understand the depth of the budget reductions needed across the state.

Where and when are the sessions?

October 28, 9-10:30 am, Resource Training & Solutions, Sartell, refreshments provided

November 1, 10-11:30am, Southeast Service Cooperative, Rochester 

November 5, 10-11:30 am, ARCC, Hermantown, lunch to follow

December 12, 12:15pm-2:30pm, Lunch at 12:15pm, meeting at 1pm, Garden Valley Technologies, Erskine

December 19, 10-11:30 am, SWWC Service Cooperative, Redwood Falls Community Center, lunch to follow

Register for a session here: https://forms.gle/4o1hKw78eWWkCNuT7 

Who can attend these sessions?

Superintendents, their finance/business staff, principals - whomever you would like to bring from your staff. You do not have to belong to the organizations hosting the presentations. All host sites welcome you!

AASA’s Top Priorities for a New Administration–We must Advocate at Both the State & National Levels

Sasha Pudelski of AASA sent an email to members highlighting recommendations for the new administration to support K-12 public schools and the students they serve. Taken directly from Sasha’s email:

AASA’s Recommended action steps for the new administration include

• Reject private school vouchers and take steps to monitor that private schools receiving federal funds are abiding by all relevant federal civil rights laws

• Champion the funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and other critical formula programs and take steps to improve the ability of high-need, low capacity districts to apply for competitive grants

• Protect Universal Service Fund, including E-Rate, to preserve equitable access to affordable broadband for disadvantaged communities, including schools

• Bolster privacy protections for students when they are using education technologies and issue new regulations on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The full report details even more actionable items for the new administration to consider.

Time Sensitive: The MSBA Survey Deadline for Completion is October 25!

I have been informed by MSBA that as of October 22, they have received only 58 responses out of 331 possible responses. The deadline is fast approaching. MSBA sent a reminder out this week and I promised to do the same, so here you go! The survey will help not only MSBA, but all education organizations as we prepare platforms and advocate on behalf of the needs of all K-12 public schools. Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey! Complete the survey here!

MSHSL Communications Analysis Survey-Please Complete!

Staff at the MSHSL asked that we assist in asking you or your activities director to complete the survey they sent out by Friday, November 1. They hope to learn more about the effectiveness of their communication and how to better serve the needs of school districts and communities. Here is the survey link.

Leadership Matters!

“Leadership is not just about giving energy…it’s unleashing other people’s energy.” - Paul Polman