45 – 10 – 31 This combination does not unlock the untapped potential found in textbooks piled high in a student’s locker. Instead, this string of digits stands in the way of many students’ success. 45 – the percent of American Indian students who graduate from high school 10 – the percent of American Indian …
In a region that was settled almost exclusively by Norwegian immigrants, integration was not a topic of conversation in the small west central Minnesota town of Pelican Rapids. From the grocery store to the classroom, differences were scarce. In fact, as recently as two decades ago, the people of Pelican Rapids still largely came from …
“It’s like trying to teach a kid to play the clarinet without a reed,” said Aaron Wenger, engineering instructor at Itasca Community College (ICC). “We’ve got to give them the tools they need to succeed.” ICC engineering attracts students from around the state with their nationally acclaimed program, but how many of those students actually …
From the fumbling fingertips of a young novice to the silky strokes of a proficient, a musician’s dancing notes have the power to connect people, especially in rural places. The Itasca Orchestra Strings Program (IOSP) has been linking lives through music for 32 years. Early on, IOSP partnered with the Itasca Area Schools Collaborative (IASC) …
Recently, both federal and state governments have taken bold steps to improve early childhood education. In May, the state education budget increased by $485 million after being signed into law by Governor Dayton. More than $170 million of that increase will go towards early education programs like all-day kindergarten and preschool. Similarly, in President Obama’s …
What does Gloria Estefan, pianist Michael Feinstein, singer/songwriter James Taylor and the Deer River High School Choir have in common? The answer: a passion for music and the technology to bring them together. On May 22, 2013, the 3rd annual Bridging the Gap Concert kicked off with a performance by Emerson Middle School in Los Angeles, …
“One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” ― Bryant McGill Blandin Foundation has special relationships with the 26 communities in the Itasca area. One way Blandin Foundation President and CEO Kathy Annette nurtures these relationships is to host listening meetings in each one to learn …
Change is in the air for Minnesota schools. Graduating students are saying their farewells and preparing for a new journey. Education in Minnesota is also embarking on a new journey thanks to a recent bill passed by the Minnesota Legislature. The $15.6 billion education funding bill will increase state education spending by $485 million over …
Yesterday’s ICC Career Fair gave about 1,500 junior and senior high school students from Itasca area schools a chance to get up close to the tools of the trade in their favorite career choices. Professionals from various fields were available to answer questions and provide interactive and hands-on activities for participants. Students also could practice their …
They say everyone gets their 15 minutes of fame — and today it’s the Itasca Area School Collaborative‘s turn. The seven-district consortium’s $1 million federal RUS grant to bring telepresence to 20-plus schools was featured in an MSNBC article about the changing landscape of technology in America’s schools. While the story may bring 15 minutes …