Joe Nathan Education Columnist Battles, creativity and determination were displayed on the State Capitol steps recently, and I’m not talking about the stadium debate. Several hundred parents, educators, students and state legislators listened to and honored 38 students, ages five to 18, whose essays were judged best from among the 1,857 submitted. Students were asked [...]
Joe Nathan
Allowing sophomores access to PSEO a good move
Joe Nathan Education Columnist Last week Minnesota legislators and Gov. Mark Dayton gave a great gift to Minnesota families and students. Legislators extended Minnesota’s pioneer post secondary options law to allow 10th graders to take career and technical courses on college campuses. Because of young people’s creativity and insight, new “You Tube” videos are available [...]
How music inspires, energizes us
Joe Nathan Education Columnist What are your favorite songs, and why? Is it mostly the melody, or that and words? Do you associate a song with a memorable moment or era in your life? I ask because of two recent news events related to the power of music. The first is a remarkable story from [...]
FL schools wise in surveying graduates
Joe Nathan Education Columnist Forest Lake Area Schools wisely recognize the value of surveying graduates, and seniors about to graduate. Recently I contacted about 35 Minnesota districts and five charter public schools. Twenty-six responded. Just under half do surveys. But in every case, where it’s done, school officials are gaining useful information. Steve Massey, Forest [...]
FL finds ways to help students improve learning
FLHS using online videos to support learning Joe Nathan Education Columnist Both national and local talent is being used to help Forest Lake and other students gain the benefits of video. That’s good news for students and a compliment to teachers who continue seeking new ways to help students learn more. Steve Massey, Forest Lake [...]
Doing what makes sense for early childhood programs
Joe Nathan Education Columnist Though it’s not always popular to say, all of Minnesota’s early childhood programs are not equally effective. Telling that controversial truth, and helping guide families to the most effective programs, recently helped Minnesota win $45 million from the US Department of Education. Finally, we’re saying what makes sense: early childhood programs, [...]
Your first impression of a school is important
They tell much about what a school values Joe Nathan Education Columnist What do you see when you first walk into a school? Every week I visit several schools in this or other states. The differences are dramatic. First impressions are important, whether for individual or an institution, I think what a school chooses to [...]
Benefits flow to students taking dual credit classes
Report shows major increase for high school students Joe Nathan Education Columnist Congratulations to thousands of Minnesotans: families, students and public school educators. A new report, “Progress and Possibilities” shows major increases in the number of students who are taking challenging college level courses while still in high school. This helps them, their families and [...]
Positive signs for public education in FL
Levy renewal, charter cooperation are FL positives Joe Nathan Education Columnist Looking ahead for 2012, I’m optimistic about Minnesota schools, students and educators. Reviewing more than 40 columns and more than 1,000 email responses in 2011, five issues emerge. • The enormous array of positive accomplishments for young people in schools. Whether it’s award-winning musicals, [...]
FL area part of growing charter school movement
Lakes International Language Academy, North Lakes Charter Academy Joe Nathan Education Columnist From about 10,000 students to about 39,000, from 100 to more than 2 million. Those are a few of the statistics that show how Forest Lake is a part of one of the most intriguing educational reforms in the US…. the charter public [...]
