Today's Question Category Archive: Education
What role should evaluations play in teacher job security?
Posted at 5:00 AM on January 31, 2012
by Eric Ringham
(43 Comments)
Filed under: Education, Politics/Government
The Minnesota House is considering a bill that would make teacher evaluations a factor in determining teacher layoffs. The bill would end the "last in, first out" approach dictated by teacher seniority. Today's Question: What role should evaluations play in teacher job security?
How can we make hockey safer?
Posted at 5:00 AM on January 10, 2012
by Eric Ringham
(38 Comments)
Filed under: Education, Health
For the second time in a week, a Minnesota high school hockey player has been hospitalized after suffering an injury during a game. Today's Question: How can we make hockey safer?
What topics would you consider controversial in a classroom setting?
Posted at 5:00 AM on December 9, 2011
by Eric Ringham
(27 Comments)
Filed under: Education
The Anoka-Hennepin school district might drop its neutrality policy about sexual orientation and replace it with a new policy that addresses controversial issues. The proposed new policy would bar teachers from advocating for one side or another on controversial issues in classroom discussions, but does not specify what those issues are. Today's Question: What topics would you consider controversial in a classroom setting?
Is the value of college overemphasized?
Posted at 5:00 AM on December 5, 2011
by Eric Ringham
(31 Comments)
Filed under: Education
An Intelligence Squared debate being aired on Midday today looks at the question of whether too many young people go to college. Unemployment among college graduates is high, and student-loan debt now exceeds credit-card debt. Today's Question: Is the value of college overemphasized?
What's the solution to the student-debt problem?
Posted at 5:00 AM on October 24, 2011
by Eric Ringham
(41 Comments)
Filed under: Economy, Education
One of the issues motivating the Occupy Wall Street movement is student-loan debt, which now equals the size of credit card debt in the United States. The average debt is $24,000, but many graduates carry a balance much larger than that. Today's Question: What's the solution to the student-debt problem?
In your family, is the start of the school year a cause for happiness, or dread?
Posted at 5:00 AM on August 29, 2011
by Eric Ringham
(12 Comments)
Filed under: Education
For students in Minneapolis and some other districts, today is the first day of school. For everyone else, the school year is just around the corner. Today's Question: In your family, is the start of the school year a cause for happiness, or dread?
Is the University of North Dakota doing the right thing in retiring the Fighting Sioux nickname?
Posted at 5:00 AM on August 16, 2011
by Eric Ringham
(50 Comments)
Filed under: Culture, Education, Race/Gender
Higher education officials have voted to retire the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname by the end of the year, and lawmakers are expected to repeal a law requiring the school to keep it. Today's Question: Is the University of North Dakota doing the right thing in retiring the Fighting Sioux nickname?
What change would you most like to see at Minnesota's public colleges and universities?
Posted at 5:00 AM on July 25, 2011
by Eric Ringham
(34 Comments)
Filed under: Education, Politics/Government
The University of Minnesota and the system of state colleges and universities are having to adapt as they absorb cuts to their state funding. Today's Question: What change would you most like to see at Minnesota's public colleges and universities?
Should books cater to a taste for violence, if that's what teens want to read?
Posted at 5:00 AM on June 20, 2011
by Eric Ringham
(24 Comments)
Filed under: Culture, Education
Today's "Midmorning" looks at a controversy surrounding fiction for young adults. Critics say too much of it is dark, disturbing and violent. Today's Question: Should books cater to a taste for violence, if that's what teens want to read?
What historical period do you wish you knew more about?
Posted at 5:00 AM on June 17, 2011
by Eric Ringham
(42 Comments)
Filed under: Education, Politics/Government
Students in the public schools and political figures on the national stage have drawn poor marks for their understanding of history. Today's Question: What historical period do you wish you knew more about?
Would you rather protect kids too much, or too little?
Posted at 5:00 AM on June 14, 2011
by Eric Ringham
(35 Comments)
Filed under: Culture, Education
A psychologist appearing on Midmorning today argues that parents try too hard to shield their children from misfortune. She says that overprotected children are underprepared for life. Today's Question: Would you rather protect kids too much, or too little?
What message would you give the class of 2011, if you had only six words to say it?
Posted at 5:00 AM on June 2, 2011
by Eric Ringham
(164 Comments)
Filed under: Culture, Education
It's graduation season. Commencement speakers are doing their best to inspire graduates, but some of their speeches seem a little long. Today's Question: What message would you give the class of 2011, if you had only six words to say it?
(Inspired by SMITH Magazine's Six-Word Memoir project and book series .)
Would you take $100,000 to forgo college?
Posted at 5:00 AM on May 31, 2011
by Eric Ringham
(25 Comments)
Filed under: Economy, Education
One of the founders of PayPal is giving 24 people under age 20 $100,000 to skip or quit college and start a business instead. Today's Question: Would you take $100,000 to forgo college?
What's been your experience with bullying?
Posted at 5:00 AM on May 16, 2011
by Eric Ringham
(46 Comments)
Filed under: Education, Security
Today MPR News begins a series of reports exploring the issue of bullying and what can be done to address it. Today's Question: What's been your experience with bullying?
What do you think of linking school attendance and driving privileges?
Posted at 5:00 AM on April 20, 2011
by Eric Ringham
(40 Comments)
Filed under: Education, Transportation
Minnesota legislators have proposed a law to deny driver's licenses to high school dropouts. The sponsors say their goal is to give young people one more reason to stay in school. Today's Question: What do you think of linking school attendance and driving privileges?
When does a college education no longer seem worth the cost?
Posted at 5:00 AM on April 19, 2011
by Eric Ringham
(45 Comments)
Filed under: Economy, Education
Last year, two-thirds of students who earned bachelor's degrees graduated in debt. And total student-loan debt surpassed total credit card debt for the first time. Today's Question: When does a college education no longer seem worth the cost?
Should college athletes be paid?
Posted at 5:00 AM on March 29, 2011
by Eric Ringham
(43 Comments)
Filed under: Culture, Education
As the end of March Madness draws near, TV ratings for the tournament series are the highest they've been in years. The NCAA tournament generates billions of dollars in commerce, though not for the players themselves. Today's Question: Should college athletes be paid?
Update: We posed this question to sources in our Public Insight Network. Below is a collection of some of the responses we received. Press the play button to get started.
Do students benefit from teacher tenure?
Posted at 5:00 AM on March 24, 2011
by Eric Ringham
(59 Comments)
Filed under: Education, Politics/Government
Legislators are considering a proposal to do away with traditional teacher tenure. Instead, teachers would rely for job security on periodic evaluations, based on student test scores and other factors. Today's Question: Do students benefit from teacher tenure?
What might teachers without traditional training bring to the profession?
Posted at 5:00 AM on March 1, 2011
by Eric Ringham
(43 Comments)
Filed under: Education
A reported deal between legislators and Gov. Mark Dayton could clear the way toward an alternative licensing plan for teachers. Today's Question: What might teachers without traditional training bring to the profession?
How tough should teachers be on their students?
Posted at 5:00 AM on February 17, 2011
by Eric Ringham
(25 Comments)
Filed under: Education
In a blog post, a high school teacher in Pennsylvania described some of her students as "disobedient, disrespectful oafs. Noisy, crazy, sloppy, lazy LOAFERS." She may lose her job as a result. Today's Question: How tough should teachers be on their students?
Should a university's art collection be treated as a financial asset?
Posted at 5:00 AM on February 11, 2011
by Eric Ringham
(12 Comments)
Filed under: Culture, Economy, Education, Politics/Government
A bill being discussed in the Iowa Legislature would require the University of Iowa to sell the centerpiece of its art collection, an 8-by-20-foot painting by Jackson Pollock. Legislators argue that the painting, with an estimated value of $140 million, should go to fund scholarships for students. Today's Question: Should a university's art collection be treated as a financial asset?
How relevant is Black History Month now?
Posted at 5:00 AM on February 3, 2011
by Molly Bloom
(21 Comments)
Filed under: Education, Race/Gender
February is Black History Month, which was instituted to educate the public about the achievements and experiences of African Americans. Today's question: How relevant is Black History Month now?
Should the Legislature freeze salaries for public school employees?
Posted at 5:00 AM on February 2, 2011
by Jon Gordon
(183 Comments)
Filed under: Education
The Minnesota Legislature is debating a statewide salary freeze for teachers and other public school employees. Supporters say the move would save jobs and stabilize school district finances. Today's Question: Should the Legislature freeze salaries for public school employees?
Does America have what it takes for a Sputnik moment?
Posted at 5:00 AM on January 27, 2011
by Eric Ringham
(26 Comments)
Filed under: Education, Politics/Government, Science/Technology
President Obama on Tuesday called the present time "our generation's Sputnik moment." But he also noted that the United States ranks ninth in the proportion of young people with college degrees. Today's Question: Does America have what it takes for a Sputnik moment?
How has the cost of child care affected the life of your family?
Posted at 5:00 AM on December 7, 2010
by Eric Ringham
(43 Comments)
Filed under: Economy, Education
Full time child care for an infant is likely to cost more than $13,000 a year in Minnesota. That puts the state's child-care costs among the highest in the nation. Today's Question: How has the cost of child care affected the life of your family?
If you ran the University of Minnesota, what three things would you do to make it better?
Posted at 5:00 AM on November 18, 2010
by Eric Ringham
(20 Comments)
Filed under: Education
The University of Minnesota is in the process of selecting a new president. The lone finalist, Eric Kaler, is taking part today in a public interview with the Board of Regents. Today's Question: If you ran the University of Minnesota, what three things would you do to make it better?
How important is it for the state's flagship university to have winning sports teams?
Posted at 5:00 AM on October 19, 2010
by Eric Ringham
(23 Comments)
Filed under: Culture, Education
The University of Minnesota is looking for a new football coach after a disappointing start to the 2010 season and a long record of lackluster performances. Today's Question: How important is it for the state's flagship university to have winning sports teams?
Should we have a longer school year?
Posted at 5:00 AM on September 28, 2010
by Eric Ringham
(46 Comments)
Filed under: Education
President Obama said Monday that the American school year is too short, and he noted that students in other advanced countries have about a month more of school each year. Today's Question: Should we have a longer school year?
What role should schools play in preventing suicides?
Posted at 5:00 AM on September 24, 2010
by Jon Gordon
(19 Comments)
Filed under: Education, Health
Suicide is a leading cause of death among Minnesota teenagers. Seven teenagers in the Anoka-Hennepin School District took their own lives in the past year. Today's Question: What role should schools play in preventing suicides?
Should the state's investment in public colleges and universities be greater or smaller?
Posted at 5:00 AM on September 20, 2010
by Eric Ringham
(36 Comments)
Filed under: 2010 Governor's Race, Education, Politics/Government
Each Monday now through the election, we'll pose a question on an issue that's pertinent to the race for Minnesota governor. Today's Question: Should the state's investment in public colleges and universities be greater or smaller?
Democratic candidate Mark Dayton:
Something is seriously wrong, when Minnesotans cannot afford to send their own children to their state's colleges and universities. We must increase our investments to keep higher education affordable for middle-income families.
Republican candidate Tom Emmer:
In the next few years, we need to make 50 years' progress in education reform - we need a 21st century education model for a 21st century economy.
The challenge we face today isn't about accounting or dollars spent - it's a challenge to fundamentally change how we teach our kids to succeed in the modern world.We have laid out an ambitious, detailed education reform agenda which focuses on three main pillars: improve teacher and school accountability, address teacher effectiveness, and facilitate innovation within our current system.
Independence Party candidate Tom Horner:
Spending more or less on higher education isn't our first question. Next year Minnesota will have a new president of the university system, a new chancellor of MnSCU and a new governor. That's our opportunity to examine our systems and put everything on the table. What do we need from our great two-year and four-year schools? How do we keep building a world-class research university? When we answer those questions we can decide the funding question.
What would you like your kids to learn by the end of the school year?
Posted at 5:00 AM on September 8, 2010
by Eric Ringham
(10 Comments)
Filed under: Education
Most students in Minnesota are heading back to school this week, if they haven't done so already. Today's Question: What would you like your kids to learn by the end of the school year?
Should public schools have to seek voter approval for operating funds?
Posted at 5:00 AM on September 6, 2010
by Eric Ringham
(25 Comments)
Filed under: 2010 Governor's Race, Education, Politics/Government
At the start of each week now through the election, we'll pose a question on an issue that's pertinent to the race for Minnesota governor. Today's Question: Should public schools have to seek voter approval for operating funds?
Democratic candidate Mark Dayton:
Our schools should not have to rely on the property tax to fund our children's education. The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled over 40 years ago that it is unconstitutional. That is why I will increase state funding for public education from the progressive income tax.
Republican candidate Tom Emmer:
Minnesota law provides school districts with the opportunity to seek additional funding by approval of their local taxpayers. I support local taxpayers having the ability to approve or disapprove property tax increases, and believe that referendums give taxpayers an important voice in determining funding and budget decisions made by their local school boards.
Independence Party candidate Tom Horner:
Schools should have voters' approval for new operating levies. With some restrictions, though, I would allow schools to renew levies.
What would your ideal school schedule look like?
Posted at 5:00 AM on August 24, 2010
by Michael Caputo
(17 Comments)
Filed under: Education
Sixteen-thousand southern Minnesota students started school early this week, before Labor Day. Other districts have adopted four-day weeks. And some schools have taken on year-round schedules. Today's question: Imagine you are a superintendent. What would your ideal school schedule look like?
Are standardized tests the best way to measure the success of a school?
Posted at 8:26 AM on August 11, 2010
by Molly Bloom
(20 Comments)
Filed under: Education
Half of Minnesota's schools failed to make adequate yearly progress this year under the federal No Child Left Behind law. Today's question: Are standardized tests the best way to measure the success of a school?
Is trying to catch cheaters a worthwhile use of college resources?
Posted at 5:00 AM on July 9, 2010
by Eric Ringham
(24 Comments)
Filed under: Education, Religion/Ethics
Three out of five college students admit to cheating on tests and assignments. Today's Question: Is trying to catch cheaters a worthwhile use of college resources?
Can online classes take the place of traditional colleges?
Posted at 5:00 AM on June 18, 2010
by Eric Ringham
(27 Comments)
Filed under: Education, Science/Technology
On the Daily Show last week, Gov. Tim Pawlenty suggested that "iCollege" courses might replace conventional classrooms in 20 years. Today's Question: Can online classes take the place of traditional colleges?
Does summer vacation still serve a useful purpose?
Posted at 5:00 AM on June 7, 2010
by Eric Ringham
(28 Comments)
Filed under: Culture, Education
The end of the traditional academic year brings summer vacation, but some school districts are moving toward year-round classes. Today's Question: Does summer vacation still serve a useful purpose?
What's your message for the Class of 2010?
Posted at 5:00 AM on May 13, 2010
by Eric Ringham
(22 Comments)
Filed under: Culture, Education
Jon Stewart said, "Love what you do. Get good at it." Winston Churchill said, "Never give in. Never, never, never, never." It's commencement season, and you or someone you know will soon be listening to a speech. Today's Question: What's your message for the Class of 2010?
In your view, what qualities make a great teacher?
Posted at 5:00 AM on April 30, 2010
by Eric Ringham
(17 Comments)
Filed under: Education
The 2010 Minnesota Teacher of the Year will be named this Sunday. Today's Question: In your view, what qualities make a great teacher?
What extracurricular programs had an important impact on your life?
Posted at 5:00 AM on April 19, 2010
by Eric Ringham
(36 Comments)
Filed under: Education
The St. Paul School Board will vote this week on whether to cut elementary band and orchestra programs, as well as middle school athletics. Today's Question: What extracurricular programs had an important impact on your life?
Does the teachers' union play a positive role in Minnesota schools?
Posted at 5:00 AM on March 31, 2010
by Eric Ringham
(59 Comments)
Filed under: Education
Gov. Tim Pawlenty blames the teachers' union for Minnesota's failure to win federal Race to the Top money. Union leaders blame the state's application process. Today's Question: Does the teachers' union play a positive role in Minnesota schools?
Are you confident in your school's ability to respond to threats?
Posted at 5:00 AM on March 11, 2010
by Eric Ringham
(11 Comments)
Filed under: Education, Security
A reported shooting threat has prompted heightened security at schools in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Today's Question: Are you confident in your school's ability to respond to threats?
How could Minnesota schools get and keep the best teachers?
Posted at 5:00 AM on January 14, 2010
by Eric Ringham
(27 Comments)
Filed under: Education
About 30 percent of teachers in Minnesota leave the profession within five years. It's one of the factors involved in a drive, being discussed today on Midmorning, to put highly effective teachers into public classrooms. How could Minnesota schools get and keep the best teachers?
Would you go deeply into debt for a college education?
Posted at 6:00 AM on January 4, 2010
by Eric Ringham
(34 Comments)
Filed under: Education
Graduates from Minnesota's colleges and universities in 2008 carried an average student debt of more than $25,000. That put Minnesota among the states with the highest student debt. Would you go deeply into debt for a college education?
Comments texted to MPR:
Yes, I have gone into debt for education. I work in the public sector and have found that it is difficult to get an entry level position in Community Development without the backing of an advanced degree. Without my degree I could quite possibly be waiting tables, I'm grateful to have a good job. -Alisha, Minneapolis
I am a sculptor, and I went to MCAD. I never completed a four year term or 120 credits. Currently, I am drowning in $60,000 debt. I'm going to consider moving back to Balkan's in order to avoid repaying that money which never probably existed. -Aleksandar Maric, Minneapolis
I am a student and I go to a community college to get my generals done for less $. I love it and highly suggest to everyone. -anonymous
Comment from Facebook (MPR Public Insight):
I am glad we didn't and our kids didn't. Our kids didn't because we planned ahead. But as a friend said, it is one thing to go into debt for an education and come out a nurse or a doctor and another thing to come out a social worker, knowing you'll never get out of debt. And a couple of women I know got caught up in getting their masters degrees, but could never get jobs in their field because they became "too expensive" to hire. -Lois Anderson Garbisch
What's your experience with school counselors, social workers and psychologists?
Posted at 6:00 AM on September 16, 2009
by Eric Ringham
(53 Comments)
Filed under: Education, Health
Sen. Al Franken is cosponsoring legislation to help provide more counselors, psychologists and social workers in schools. Minnesota lags behind most other states in its ratio of counselors to students. What's your experience with school counselors, social workers and psychologists?
What did you learn at the Fair this year?
Posted at 6:00 AM on September 7, 2009
by Eric Ringham
(8 Comments)
Filed under: Culture, Education
In 1902, the St. Paul and Minneapolis School Boards pushed the opening day of school back to the Monday after the State Fair. Education authorities stated that there was "more to be learned in a single day at the fair than in double the time at school or college." What did you learn at the Fair this year?
Should the president have direct access to the nation's students?
Posted at 6:00 AM on September 4, 2009
by Eric Ringham
(209 Comments)
Filed under: Education, Politics/Government
A planned back-to-school address by President Obama is causing a stir in Minnesota's school districts. Some parents say they don't want the schools showing the speech to their kids. In response, schools are trying to decide how and whether to make the speech available. Should the president have direct access to the nation's students?
What are you looking forward to - or dreading - this school year?
Posted at 6:00 AM on August 31, 2009
by Eric Ringham
(10 Comments)
Filed under: Education
Another school year is about to start, an event that transforms the lives and daily routines of students, teachers, district employees and parents. What are you looking forward to - or dreading -- this school year?
School starts, and the traffic immediately becomes horrible! -Sue, Big Lake, MN
I'm in my last year of law school and looking forward to my last year of school ever! Now, here's hoping I'll get a job! -Sara, Minneapolis, MN
Looking forward to being done with my internship! school will be easy! -Nathan watson, Rochester, MN
Games @ TCF Stadium!! -anonymous text message
New challenges in teaching thanks to budget and employee reduction. -anonymous text message
Share your reply in the comments: What are you looking forward to - or dreading - this school year?
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