HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 02-01 School briefs Senators tour East Ridge High in Woodbury to check out tech use, STEM programming STAR TRIBUNE *Staerribune CITY OF MApLEWL•
School briefs: Senators tour
East Ridge High in Woodbury to check out tech use,
STEM programming
February 1.2O14'2:VUpM
State legislative leaders visited East Ridge High School in Woodbury on Jan. 15 to learn
about the use of technology in the classroom and the benefits of STEM(science,technology,
engineering and math)programming.
Sen.Chuck Wiger,DFL-Maplewood,who heads the Senate E-12 Finance Division,visited
five schools that week to glean lessons about programs that could be replicated elsewhere,
said state Sen.Susan Kent, DFL-Woodbury.
In a news release,Kent spoke of how the South Washington County School District had
achieved success with changes based on data and research,including a move to later start
times at the high schools.A recent University of Minnesota study showed that results on state
standardized math tests rose at the district's high schools—as did average daily attendance
—after the switch from 7:oap.m.mo:000.m.starts.
Last year, Gov.Mark Dayton and state DFL leaders touted new investment in programs
serving the state's youngest learners,as well as increased general education funding,as
highlights of the 2013 legislative session.
In addition to reviewing the STEM curriculum,legislators examined technology-driven
teaching approaches that include blended learning and flipped classrooms.The latter finds
teachers delivering lectures that can be viewed online at home,freeing up classroom time for
hands-on projects.
"Minnesota's future economy will require new approaches in preparing our children,"Kent
said.'We can use data and research to guarantee every student gets the education they
deserve."
Also attending the tour were state Rep.Jo Ann Ward, DFL-Woodbury, and state Sen. Patricia
Torres Ray DFL-Minneapolis,chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee.