New members learn about higher education, schedules posted

Yesterday at the Capitol

With many new members on the House Higher Education Policy and Finance committee, members received an overview yesterday on higher education. Legislative Analyst Kathy Novak explained to members the two public systems; the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. She provided information on private postsecondary education and said Minnesota has approximately 180 private postsecondary institutions with a physical presence in the state, offering undergraduate education that range from very small (under ten students) to large (over 10,000 students). Members also heard about the state grant program and how money is appropriated through the state.

The committee is scheduled to meet tomorrow, Thursday, January 13 at 12:30 p.m. to hear an overview from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.

Also yesterday, the House Education Reform committee met and heard from Board of Teaching Executive Director Karen Balmer about a redesign in the works of how Minnesota evaluates teacher preparation programs, which could shed light on the link between teacher preparation and student outcome. Committee Chair Rep. Sondra Erickson, R-Princeton, and committee members have said that improving teacher effectiveness is a priority this session.

Balmer said the new initiative, Program Effectiveness Reports for Continuing Approval (PERCA), will soon be field-tested and should launch in about a year. It will use more data collection and performance measurement to assess the performance of first-year teachers who graduated from certain four-year education programs. Teachers’ results would be compared with their teacher training program to measure the program’s effectiveness.

Today at the Capitol

8:00 AM
Regent Candidate Advisory Council
Room: 400N State Office Building
Chair: Jane Belau
Agenda: Candidate Interviews
All-day legislative conference

Looking Ahead
Thursday, January 13

8:15 AM
House Education Reform
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Bill(s) Added
Agenda: HF63 (Garofalo) Teacher licensure provisions amended, alternative teacher preparation program and limited-term teacher license established, and report required.
HF3 (Mariani) Alternative teacher preparation program and limited term teacher license established.
Presentation of "WANTED: Prepared Workforce NEEDED: Education Reforms"
Cecilia Retelle, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

8:15 AM
House State Government Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Morrie Lanning
Agenda: Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) overview of specific programs:
SWIFT new accounting system update: Assistant Commissioner Lori Mo- Accounting Services; Jim Manion- SWIFT Project Coordinator
New Budget Information System (BIS) update:
Assistant Commissioner Kristin Dybdal - State Budget Director
Michelle Weber- Executive Budget Coordinator, MMB
Internal Controls: Jeanine Kuwik- Internal Control and Accountability Director
Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board overview - Gary Goldsmith, executive director

8:30 AM
Senate Finance Committee
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Claire Robling
Agenda: Introductions
Budget Overview - Matt Massman, Lead Fiscal Analyst - Senate Counsel, Research and Fiscal Analysis

8:30 AM
Senate Taxes Committee
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Julianne Ortman
Agenda: Committee Introduction, General Overview Minnesota Tax System

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities overview

3:00 PM
House in Session