Latest news with #WillieJett
CBS News
13-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Investigations into Minnesota's transgender athlete policy "elevated" by U.S. Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education announced Thursday it is elevating investigations into Minnesota's policy on transgender athletes. The department in February opened an investigation into the Minnesota State High School League for allowing transgender student-athletes to compete in sports consistent with their "gender identity." The agency says it opened a new civil rights investigation this month into MSHSL and the Minnesota Department of Education. A June 3 complaint accuses the state of allowing males to compete in female sports and share facilities. "Minnesota's continued indifference to females' civil rights is completely unacceptable," Education Secretary Linda McMahon said. The U.S. Department of Education says the decision to elevate both cases to the Title IX special investigations team was made concerning a player participating in the Minnesota state softball tournament. In response to the announcement, Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Willie Jett said the department "remains committed to ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive in safe, supportive school communities as their authentic selves." WCCO has reached out to MSHSL for comment. The first investigation started after MSHSL made an announcement saying it would not be following an executive order signed by President Trump banning transgender girls and women from competing on sports teams that match their gender identity. The order, titled "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports," mandates that Title IX, the federal law banning sex discrimination in schools, be interpreted as prohibiting the participation of transgender girls and women in female sports. Schools that don't comply with the order risk losing federal funding and could face legal action. Last month, a Texas-based nonprofit filed a lawsuit in federal court against several Minnesota agencies, including MSHSL, for their transgender athlete policies. In April, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming the president's two executive orders targeting transgender youth and adults violate both the U.S. Constitution and Title IX. The lawsuit requests the court declare the orders unconstitutional and unlawful, Ellison said. Note: The video above originally aired May 20, 2025. contributed to this report.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Beltrami County graduation rate declines amidst historic statewide increase
May 12—BEMIDJI — The class of 2024 has earned bragging rights for having the highest graduation rate in recorded Minnesota history. Based on results released by the Minnesota Department of Education on May 7, a total of 59,720 students — 84.2% of the 2024 graduating class overall — earned their diplomas across the state and marked a nearly 1% increase from the 2023 class rate of 83.3%. Increases were reported across nearly every ethnic category, including students identifying as American Indian, Asian, Black, Hispanic or Latino, as well as white students. Rates also increased for English learners, students from low-income families and those receiving special education services. "The students of the class of 2024 worked hard and overcame challenges to achieve this milestone," Commissioner Willie Jett said in a release. "I am thrilled to see the success of many of our student groups — especially those most at risk — and a closing of the achievement gap as we work to make sure every student, of every background, zip code, and ability has access to a world-class education." Amidst these improvements, the release also noted mounting threats from the federal government to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, uproot federal education investments and roll back essential support for vulnerable students. The department's investments provide support, including: * $256 million for students with disabilities * $192 million for students from low-income backgrounds * $27 million for academic enrichment * $6 million for students in rural schools * $38 million to support children living on military bases or tribal lands * $100 million for Career and Technical Education workforce development programs "In the face of instability from the federal government, the MDE remains committed to supporting students and schools," the release said. While the state trended upward, Beltrami County saw a slight decline from 65.8% in 2023 to 64.4% in 2024. Graduating 407 out of 632 students, 2024's graduating class still saw a higher graduation rate compared to the 61.7% of students for 2022. The county's drop-out rate increased from 10.7% in 2023 to 16.1% in 2024, remaining higher than 2022's drop-out rate of 11.4%. Often used as an indicator for low-income students, those eligible for free or reduced lunches saw a very slight decrease in graduation from 51.2% in 2023 to 50.7%. American Indian students improved upon 2023's graduation rate, clocking in at 40.2% compared to the 2023 class' 38.8%. Similar to last year, female graduates ranked above their male counterparts at 67.1% and 61.9%, respectively. Both groups trended downward from 2023, with respective graduation rates of 67.5% and 64.2%. After a 7.3% increase between 2022 and 2023, Bemidji Area Schools experienced a decline from 2023's 77.6% graduation rate to 2024's rate of 74.8%. A total of 288 students out of 385 graduated within four years, while 53 dropped out and 23 continued to earn their diplomas beyond a four-year timeline. Students receiving free and reduced lunches came in below the district average and also experienced a decrease from 2023's graduation rate of 61.2% to 60.6%. Male students experienced a sharper decline from 2023 compared to their female counterparts. Males in 2024 graduated at 71.4% compared to 75.6% in 2023, and 2024 females graduated at 78.3% compared to 79.4% in 2023. American Indian graduates experienced a rate increase from 2023, clocking in at 53.1% from 52% respectively. For charter schools, TrekNorth Junior and Senior High School saw noticeable improvement with 94.6% of all students graduating in 2024, up from 83.9% in 2023. While Voyageurs Expeditionary School did not show four-year graduation rates for 2023, it reported a 31.3% graduation rate for 2024. A total of five students graduated, while four dropped out, five continued their education and two were reported under the "unknown" category, which tracks students who were either incorrectly reported or not reported as enrolled in another district. After experiencing a considerable decline from 2022, Cass Lake-Bena Public Schools saw a slight improvement, graduating 56.3% in 2024 and 50.6% in 2023. Their rate in 2023 marked a decline from 83.1% in 2022. Red Lake Public Schools showed a 22.2% four-year graduation rate, down from 29.9% in 2023. After a roughly 8% decline from 2022, Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School essentially broke even with its 2023 rate of 57.1%. A complete list of graduation rates for schools, districts and counties across the state can be found on the Minnesota Department of Education's website.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Beltrami County graduation rate declines amidst historic statewide increase
May 12—BEMIDJI — The class of 2024 has earned bragging rights for having the highest graduation rate in recorded Minnesota history. Based on results released by the Minnesota Department of Education on May 7, a total of 59,720 students — 84.2% of the 2024 graduating class overall — earned their diplomas across the state and marked a nearly 1% increase from the 2023 class rate of 83.3%. Increases were reported across nearly every ethnic category, including students identifying as American Indian, Asian, Black, Hispanic or Latino, as well as white students. Rates also increased for English learners, students from low-income families and those receiving special education services. "The students of the class of 2024 worked hard and overcame challenges to achieve this milestone," Commissioner Willie Jett said in a release. "I am thrilled to see the success of many of our student groups — especially those most at risk — and a closing of the achievement gap as we work to make sure every student, of every background, zip code, and ability has access to a world-class education." Amidst these improvements, the release also noted mounting threats from the federal government to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, uproot federal education investments and roll back essential support for vulnerable students. The department's investments provide support, including: * $256 million for students with disabilities * $192 million for students from low-income backgrounds * $27 million for academic enrichment * $6 million for students in rural schools * $38 million to support children living on military bases or tribal lands * $100 million for Career and Technical Education workforce development programs "In the face of instability from the federal government, the MDE remains committed to supporting students and schools," the release said. While the state trended upward, Beltrami County saw a slight decline from 65.8% in 2023 to 64.4% in 2024. Graduating 407 out of 632 students, 2024's graduating class still saw a higher graduation rate compared to the 61.7% of students for 2022. The county's drop-out rate increased from 10.7% in 2023 to 16.1% in 2024, remaining higher than 2022's drop-out rate of 11.4%. Often used as an indicator for low-income students, those eligible for free or reduced lunches saw a very slight decrease in graduation from 51.2% in 2023 to 50.7%. American Indian students improved upon 2023's graduation rate, clocking in at 40.2% compared to the 2023 class' 38.8%. Similar to last year, female graduates ranked above their male counterparts at 67.1% and 61.9%, respectively. Both groups trended downward from 2023, with respective graduation rates of 67.5% and 64.2%. After a 7.3% increase between 2022 and 2023, Bemidji Area Schools experienced a decline from 2023's 77.6% graduation rate to 2024's rate of 74.8%. A total of 288 students out of 385 graduated within four years, while 53 dropped out and 23 continued to earn their diplomas beyond a four-year timeline. Students receiving free and reduced lunches came in below the district average and also experienced a decrease from 2023's graduation rate of 61.2% to 60.6%. Male students experienced a sharper decline from 2023 compared to their female counterparts. Males in 2024 graduated at 71.4% compared to 75.6% in 2023, and 2024 females graduated at 78.3% compared to 79.4% in 2023. American Indian graduates experienced a rate increase from 2023, clocking in at 53.1% from 52% respectively. For charter schools, TrekNorth Junior and Senior High School saw noticeable improvement with 94.6% of all students graduating in 2024, up from 83.9% in 2023. While Voyageurs Expeditionary School did not show four-year graduation rates for 2023, it reported a 31.3% graduation rate for 2024. A total of five students graduated, while four dropped out, five continued their education and two were reported under the "unknown" category, which tracks students who were either incorrectly reported or not reported as enrolled in another district. After experiencing a considerable decline from 2022, Cass Lake-Bena Public Schools saw a slight improvement, graduating 56.3% in 2024 and 50.6% in 2023. Their rate in 2023 marked a decline from 83.1% in 2022. Red Lake Public Schools showed a 22.2% four-year graduation rate, down from 29.9% in 2023. After a roughly 8% decline from 2022, Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School essentially broke even with its 2023 rate of 57.1%. A complete list of graduation rates for schools, districts and counties across the state can be found on the Minnesota Department of Education's website.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Graduation numbers around the state rise in 2024, dips slightly in Austin
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways May 7—According to statistics released by the Minnesota Department of Education Wednesday, graduation rates in Minnesota continue to rise across the state. In 2024, 59,720 students (84.2%) of the overall graduating class graduated, marking the highest graduation rate ever recorded. Among those numbers American Indian, Asian, Black, Hispanic or Latino and white student groups all showed increases along with English learners, students from low-income families and students receiving special education services. "The students of the class of 2024 worked hard and overcame challenges to achieve this milestone," said MDE Commissioner Willie Jett in Wednesday's press release. "I am thrilled to see the success of many of our student groups — especially those most at risk — and a closing of the achievement gap as we work to make sure every student of every background, zip code and ability has access to a world-class education. I am also grateful for the educators, families and communities who stood behind these graduates and supported their needs and encouraged their successes. Their achievement is evidence that investing in kids pays off." In Austin, AHS graduated 255 in 2024 for 77.7%, coming in beneath the state average as well as begging down a point from last year when more kids graduated at 264 for 78.1%. Around the area, 2024 graduate numbers include: Lyle — 2024: 10 (83%), 2023: 17 (85%) Grand Meadow — 2024: 24 (92.3%), 2023: 36 (97.3%) Southland — 2024: 38 (92.7%), 2023: 32 (94.1%) LeRoy-Ostrander — 2024: 14 (87.5%), 2023: 18 (94.7%) Hayfield — 2024: 46 (88.5%), 2023: 52 (91.2%) Blooming Prairie — 2024: 66 (97%), 2023: 53 (100%).
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
High school graduation rates reach record level in Minnesota
Minnesota recorded its highest-ever rate of high school graduation in 2024. In its annual data release, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) announced that the proportion of Minnesota students completing their high school education in four years hit 84.2% in 2024, up from 83.3% in 2023. While disparities remain between racial groups, there was an improvement from most demographics, with graduation rates among Black students 1.8%, Asian students 2.7%, American Indian students 1.6%, Hispanic and Latino students 2.5%, and white students 0.6%. The lone exception was multiracial students, the graduation rate for whom dropped by 0.1%. "The students of the Class of 2024 worked hard and overcame challenges to achieve this milestone,' said Commissioner Willie Jett. 'I am thrilled to see the success of many of our student groups – especially those most at risk – and a closing of the achievement gap as we work to make sure every student, of every background, zip code, and ability has access to a world-class education. I am also grateful for the educators, families and communities who stood behind these graduates and supported their needs and encouraged their successes. Their achievement is evidence that investing in kids pays off." In its announcement, MDE highlighted the threat presented by the Trump administration's proposal to dissolve the U.S. Department of Education, saying that such a move would threaten around $600 million in funding for students with disabilities, local-income students, and rural schools. In the Twin Cities, Minneapolis Public Schools saw its graduation rate increase by 6% after a significant drop in 2023, and while the proportion of students meeting math standards remains relatively stable compared to recent years, reading standards have dropped for the fourth consecutive year. At St. Paul Public Schools, graduation rates are "on a par" with pre-pandemic 2019. Meanwhile, proportion of students meeting grade standards in math has increased for each of the past four years, while science proficiency at its highest rate since the start of the pandemic, and reading standards at its second highest. Here's a look at the latest stats for Minnesota's five largest school districts: (You can check your local school district's performance here) Minneapolis Public Schools St. Paul Public Schools Anoka-Hennepin Schools Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Osseo Area Schools
