Background Information

In light of Minnesota’s rapidly changing demographics, an examination of current desegregation policy is long overdue. Critique of the current policies, including the 2005 evaluation report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor, shows a need to clarify outcomes of the integration revenue program and identify measurable indicators of success.

The Minnesota School Integration Council is a statewide organization committed to equity and excellence for all. Minnesota School Integration Council (MSIC) exists to convene and advocate on all matters related to integration and educational equity in the state of Minnesota. With the knowledge and support of the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), MSIC is convening a statewide task force on school integration.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Regional Listening Sessions

. To support the work of the task force, MSIC will facilitate five regional listening sessions. These public meetings will provide a forum to include a variety of perspectives related to essential questions guiding the work of the task force.    Listening sessions will focus on the following areas of study:

·        Purpose of Integration (What are our values?)
·        Recommended Policies (What outcomes do we want?)
·        Effective Practices (How do we achieve our desired outcomes?)


Date
Time
Location
Tuesday, November 9
6:00-8:00 PM
University of Minnesota Rochester
University Square, Room 414
111 South Broadway
Rochester, MN 55904

Co-sponsored by Univeristy of Minnesota Rochester, Rochester Diversity Council, and Rochester Public Schools

Tuesday, November 9
6:00-8:00 PM
Kennedy Elementary
Little Theater
824 7th Street SW
Willmar MN 56201

Wednesday, November 10
6:00-8:00 PM
Duluth Public Schools
Historic Old Center High School (HOCHS)
Administration Offices, Public Boardroom
215 North First Avenue East
Duluth, MN  55802

Thursday, November  11
5:30-7:30 PM
University of Minnesota: UROC
(Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center)
2001 Plymouth Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55411
612-626-UROC (8762)uroc@umn.edu

Monday, November 15
6:30-8:30 PM
Ramsey County Library – Roseville
2180 North Hamline
Roseville MN 55113
(651) 628-6803






Your organization is invited to attend a listening session and provide input to the task force.  If your organization would like to present prepared comments for the task force, please send an email request to MSICinfo@gmail.com.  Indicate which listening session you plan to attend and identify a contact person for your organization.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

"Call me MISTER" Initiative

The mission of the Call Me MISTER (acronym for Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models) Initiative is to increase the pool of available teachers from a broader more diverse background.  Student participants are largely selected from among under-served, socio-economically disadvantaged and educationally at-risk communities. 

To learn more, read this MinnPost article (10-11-10).

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Mankato Adjusts to Growing Diversity (10/5/10 - Minnesota Public Radio)

A bilingual exchange likely will become more common in Mankato, a south central Minnesota community that is adapting to rapid population change. Mankato Adjust to Growing Diversity

Monday, October 11, 2010

Task Force Meetings

The task force will convene four times beginning in October 2010 with final recommendations available in January 2011.  A proposed meeting schedule is enclosed.  The primary work of the task force will be to:

  • conduct a comprehensive review of the current Minnesota Desegregation Rule and Minnesota Statute, section 124D.86, governing the use and allocation of revenue; and 
  • develop recommendations for amending Minnesota’s Desegregation Rule and Minnesota Statute section 124D.86

Meeting Schedule

Tuesday, October 12, 2010 – Task Force Meeting #1
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
TIES Building, Larpenteur Room

October 18 – November 15, 2010 – Regional Listening Sessions
Task Force members will be asked to attend at least one session

Tuesday, November 16, 2010 – Task Force Meeting #2
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
TIES Building, Room 300

Tuesday, December 7, 2010 – Task Force Meeting #3
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Minnesota Department of Education, Conference Center A, Room CC13

Tuesday, January 11, 2011 – Task Force Meeting #4
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Minnesota Department of Education, Conference Center A, Room CC13

Task Force Membership

The task force consists of stakeholders interested in addressing school desegregation and integration policies, integration revenue uses, and the academic achievement gap among groups of students. Task force members were identified by MSIC and represent the diversity of Minnesota communities. Task force members do not receive compensation or reimbursement of expenses for service on the task force. 
 
Margie
Aranda
Willmar Area Multicultural Market
Roger
Banks
Council of Black Minnesotans
Teri
Bonoff
325 Capitol Building
Elia
Bruggeman
Northwest Suburban Integration School District
James
Burroughs II
Minneapolis Public Schools
Armando
Camacho
Neighborhood House
Paul
Carlson
New London Spicer Schools
Mary
Cecconi
Parents United
Anthony
Galloway
West Metro Education Partnership
John
Garcia
Cedar Park STEM
Debbie
Goettel
City of Richfield
Carole
Gupton
University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development
Ron
Hagland
Duluth Public Schools
Jay
Haugen
West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan
Les
Heitke
City of Willmar
Jim
Hilbert
Center for Negotiations and Justice, William Mitchell College of Law
Sharon
Johnson
Nobles County Integration Collaborative
Savita
Katarya
Diversity Council
Mehmet
Konar-Steenberg
William Mitchell College of Law
Virginia
Richardson
PACER
Regina
Seabrook
Woodbury HS
Elona
Street Stewart
St. Paul Public Schools
Julie
Sweitzer
110 Morrill Hall,
Michael
Thomas
Osseo Jr High
Jackie
Turner
St. Paul Public Schools
Carl
Wahstrom
St. Mary's University
Anika
Ward
Science Museum of Minnesota
Suzanne
Griffin-Ziebart
Rochester Schools