Joe Nathan

1 week ago | hometownsource.com | Joe Nathan

The U.S. Supreme Court made a very wise decision recently, one that offers both relief and opportunities for Minnesotans. On a 4-4 vote, the Supreme Court left in place an Oklahoma Supreme Court decision that said the state did NOT have to allow a religious charter public school. While district and private schools work very well for many students, we’ve seen a dramatic growth in the number of families choosing and students attending Minnesota’s charter public schools.

2 weeks ago | hometownsource.com | Joe Nathan

The U.S. Supreme Court made a very wise decision recently, one that offers both relief and opportunities for Minnesotans. On a 4-4 vote, the Supreme Court left in place an Oklahoma Supreme Court decision that said the state did NOT have to allow a religious charter public school. While district and private schools work very well for many students, we’ve seen a dramatic growth in the number of families choosing and students attending Minnesota’s charter public schools.

3 weeks ago | hometownsource.com | Joe Nathan

“Impressive, thoughtful and constructive” are how I’d describe what educators from three Minnesota districts and two charter public schools told me when I asked how they had responded to the death, five years ago as of May 25, of George Floyd. While many educators decided not to comment on how things have changed, notes from these five showed a commendable commitment to individual students and sensitive, nuanced efforts to help students learn from this tragedy. kAmt5F42E@CD 2C6 :?

4 weeks ago | messagemedia.co | Joe Nathan

There’s good news and several lessons from the May 7 release of historically elevated Minnesota high school graduation rates. Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Willie Jett released information showing that the 2024 high school class showed the highest ever graduation rate — 84.2%. Data also showed that graduation gaps are closing among various groups. This is good news. The first lesson is that many young people are more resilient than some have acknowledged.

4 weeks ago | hometownsource.com | Joe Nathan

A new national poll reminds me of one of the most important roles that adults play: Helping young people prepare for the future. Though we face uncertainty, national award-winning journalists David Brooks and John Merrow have helpful advice. Brooks has written: “Almost every successful person begins with two beliefs: the future can be better than the present, and I have the power to make it so.”kAm&?6IA64E65[ F?AC65:4E23=6 E9:?8D 42?