Read more >>

Minnesota’s new teacher-evaluation law, passed during the 2011 legislative session, is one of 17 state plans being lauded by the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ), a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that advocates for reform to teacher training, evaluation and compensation.

As reported by MinnPost today, the Minnesota law was applauded for meeting most of the goals set forth by NCTQ through its approach to more strongly factor student achievement into teacher ratings. As seen in the full report:

“The move to rethink how to evaluate teachers and explicitly tie assessments of teacher performance to student achievement marks an important shift in thinking about teacher quality,”

Read more >>

Last week, Governor Dayton concluded his economic development tour with a statewide Jobs Summit.  The event was a huge success and hosted more than 800 business, academic and government leaders.  During the day, discussions were held on the role of government in job creation, access to capital for small businesses and how we can continue to improve and align our state’s workforce.  Governor Dayton has developed a list of next steps we need to take to approach job creation moving forward.  Those steps are:

1. Improve access to capital for small businesses, and expanding medium sized businesses 

2. Align our educational system – particularly higher education, technical training, and workforce retaining for displaced workers – with the jobs available now and most likely available in the future 

3. Continue streamlining the permitting process and reducing permitting timetables

4. Improve both physical and communications infrastructure by increasing our investment in highways, bridge repairs and improvements, and achieving the goal of creating border to border broadband and cell phone access for all Minnesotans regardless of where they live

5. Continue reform efforts under Better Government for Better Minnesota, bringing better state services to Minnesotans at a lower cost

6. Increase exports as well as reverse investment by encouraging foreign companies to make investments here in Minnesota and expanding opportunities for Minnesota companies to export goods and services

7. Close achievement and employment gaps among both minority groups and non-minority groups in Minnesota

Read more >>

On Friday, Governor Dayton appointed Senator Larry Pogemiller as the new Director of the Office of Higher Education. Senator Pogemiller has been a leading voice in higher education issues through more than three decades of service in the Minnesota Senate.

Senator Pogemiller’s district includes the University of Minnesota campus. The Star Tribune reported that Governor Dayton emphasized Pogemiller’s opportunity to reshape higher education policy.

"Senator Pogemiller is one of the smartest, most talented, and most dedicated people I have ever met in public service,” Said Governor Dayton.  “He brings unparalleled experience and expertise in the legislative process and in public policy issues.  He is the perfect choice for the Office of Higher Education at this critical juncture for higher education in Minnesota.”  

Read more >>

Today, Governor Mark Dayton attended the groundbreaking of a new Integrated Science and Engineering Laboratory Facility building on the St. Cloud State University campus.  The new building was funded as a part of the 2011 bonding bill.  Construction of a state of the art science and engineering building will create over 1400 jobs and its presence on campus will ensure that St. Cloud State students are well-prepared for the jobs of the future for decades to come.

   
The 100,000 square-foot research and teaching facility will house classrooms and labs which are slated to serve high-level science, technology, engineering, mathematics, medical technology, and radiology classes.  It is estimated that 11% of the new jobs created in Minnesota by 2019 will be in the science and technology sectors.  This new facility will help accommodate a 20% increase in enrollment in Science and Engineering majors at St. Cloud State.  Additionally, the research done in this new facility can be used to support Minnesota companies and spur further innovations. 
 
The new building is slated to open in the fall of 2013.

Read more >>

Governor Dayton announced Wednesday that he will be taking immediate action to provide Minnesota job creators with access to funding by doubling the state's investment in small businesses through a Small Business/Banking Partnership.

Approximately $100 million to $200 million will be deposited in Minnesota's community banks for lending to their customers - principally small businesses throughout the state.

The announcement comes on the heels of the Governor's Jobs Summit, where over 800 business, government and academic leaders came together to discuss how to create jobs and build a better Minnesota.

“Entrepreneurs need to know that we are going to work aggressively to give them the tools they need to create jobs,” Dayton said, according to the Star Tribune . “Today, I am taking action to spur investment in the small businesses that fuel Minnesota’s economy.”

Check out other coverage of the announcement below:

• Star Tribune: Dayton Steers $100M To Small Business Lending
• Finance & Commerce: Gov. Dayton’s First Major Jobs Creation Proposal – Give Money To Banks 
• MinnPost: Jobs Summit Follow Up: Dayton Announces Plan To Free More Capital For Small Businesses

Read more >>

Governor Mark Dayton's opening remarks at the Governor's Jobs Summit on Tuesday, October 25, 2011.


Read more >>

Governor Dayton has been traveling the state for the last nine months asking Minnesotans what their best ideas are to retain and grow jobs in Minnesota.  This listening effort culminated yesterday with the Governor’s Jobs Summit here in St. Paul, and the participation of over 800 Minnesotans made for fantastic conversations.  
 
All across the state, and again yesterday, one message was clear: small businesses are the fuel for Minnesota’s economic engine, and they are having trouble expanding because they can’t access new funds to do so.  This morning we announced a big step toward addressing that problem.
Read more >>

The Governor’s Job Summit came to a close with short takeaways given by the moderators of each of the day’s 15 breakout sessions and closing remarks by Governor Dayton.

These takeaways gave all of the day’s attendees the chance to hear about each of the concurrent breakout sessions from the morning and the afternoon.

In his closing remarks, Governor Dayton thanked the participants for coming together in shared purpose to get Minnesota back to work, but also reminded them that the work is only just beginning, and that the progress they’ve made in one day needs to sustain itself and continue in the coming months and years.

Read more >>

Following two speeches  and time for lunch, the Governor’s Job Summit continued on with a series of seven afternoon breakout sessions. As with the morning sessions, the afternoon sessions focused on vital economic issues.

Lieutenant Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon led a panel on infrastructure for the 21st century, where panelists talked about the need for expanded broadband access and continued investment in transportation infrastructure. Panelists and attendees agreed technology is key to make sure our state stays ahead of the curve and is equipped to handle all of its infrastructure projects more efficiently and intelligently.

Read more >>