The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has announced openings for participants on three committees and workgroups. Contact the MREA office if you are interested in representing rural Minnesota on any of these groups. Note the early reply deadlines.
21st Century Community Learning Centers Advisory Group
Reply by January 4
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers Advisory Group will provide input into MDE’s administration of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21CCLC) program in Minnesota, including the 21CCLC portion of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) state plan, design of the upcoming state grant application, and informing standards of best practice.
The group will meet monthly, with the first two meetings scheduled for Wednesday, January 18, 2017 from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm and Tuesday, February 21, 2017 from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Both of these meetings will be in Roseville.
Participation on the 21CCLC Advisory Group creates a conflict of interest and will preclude an organization from applying for a 21CCLC competitive grant.
Nationally Recognized Assessment Workgroup
Reply by January 11
This workgroup will develop the criteria to fully implement the flexibility allowed in ESSA for districts to administer nationally recognized assessments in place of the high school MCA. It will develop the technical documentation required for submission to MDE and ultimately to the U.S. Department of Education for a nationally recognized assessment to receive approval. This will require establishing the elements needed to demonstrate test validity and comparability with the high school MCA. Additionally, it will determine a process for accurately transferring assessment results from districts to MDE.
Future Assessment Design Workgroup
Reply by January 11
This workgroup will consider innovations for future Minnesota statewide assessments as revisions to academic standards are adopted. This group will explore various assessment design approaches in order to develop a system that is more sensitive and responsive to stakeholder desires. Members of this workgroup will discuss possibilities for implementation, including piloting the new and different approach(es).
The committees will meet at least monthly at MDE in Roseville beginning Jan. 18.
Contact the MREA office at mrea@mnrea.org if you are interested. Include your area of expertise and the group in which you would like to participate.
