News Releases
The Communications Office develops, coordinates and disseminates news and messages from the Minnesota Department of Education and is responsible for media relations, outreach efforts and internal communications.
You will find the latest developments, announcements and statements from the Commissioner here on a range of topics including: academic standards and achievement, test results, innovative programs, data-driven strategies, best practices, resources for students and families, and streamlined support and services for educators, schools and districts. Subscribe to our News Release list to get the latest updates from MDE and our Photo Release list to get photo updates from MDE leadership visits and activities.
News release archives from 2019-23, can be found in the archive.
$4 million in Student Support Personnel Workforce Pipeline Grants Awarded to Minnesota Universities (4/19/24)
Today the Minnesota Department of Education announced that 10 programs at seven Minnesota universities were awarded a total of $4 million in Student Support Personnel Workforce Pipeline Program grants to be used to support students pursuing licensure as student support personnel in order to create a pipeline to expand the workforce in Minnesota.
Photo Release: MDE signs MOU with Mexican Ministries to Support Mexican Teachers in Minnesota Classrooms (4/8/24)
Commissioner Willie Jett was joined Friday by Ambassador Ivan Sierra, Head Consul of Mexico in Saint Paul for a signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Public Education with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE).
Photo Release: Commissioner Jett Visits Nay Ah Shing Schools (4/5/24)
83.3 Percent of Minnesota's Class of 2023 Graduated in Four Years (3/28/24)
Today the Minnesota Department of Education released the class of 2023’s graduation rate data. The 2023 graduation rate was 83.3% or 58,293 graduates, which represents a 0.3 percentage point decrease in the four-year graduation rate compared to the class of 2022.
Statement from Commissioner Jett on Dr. Joe Gothard Being Named 2024 National Superintendent of the Year (2/15/24)
Today Commissioner Willie Jett issued the following statement in response to Saint Paul Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard being named 2024 National Superintendent of the Year by AASA The School Superintendents Association.
Minnesota Students Selected for United States Senate Youth Program (2/15/24)
The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) announces that high school students Sydney McGrath and Deepti Pillai will join Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Tina Smith in representing Minnesota during the 62nd annual USSYP Washington Week, to be held March 2-9, 2024.
Photo Release: Commissioner Jett Visits Eight Schools in East Central Minnesota (1/26/24)
Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Commissioner Willie Jett visited eight schools this week to connect with students, educators and school leaders.
Photo Release: Commissioner Jett Connects with Student Journalists in Apple Valley (1/19/24)
Commissioner Willie Jett met with students at Eastview High School in Apple Valley and appeared on their student-produced news show, “The 4Cast”.
MDE Seeks Sponsors for the 2024 USDA Summer Food Service Program (1/17/24)
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is seeking sponsors for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). This program provides nutritious meals during the summer break for children ages 1-18 while they do not have access to school meals.
Photo Release: MDE Leadership Team Connects with Educators, Students Across Minnesota (1/3/24)
Commissioner Willie Jett and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) leadership team visited more than 150 school districts and charter schools since the spring.
You will find the latest developments, announcements and statements from the Commissioner here on a range of topics including: academic standards and achievement, test results, innovative programs, data-driven strategies, best practices, resources for students and families, and streamlined support and services for educators, schools and districts. Subscribe to our News Release list to get the latest updates from MDE and our Photo Release list to get photo updates from MDE leadership visits and activities.
News release archives from 2019-23, can be found in the archive.
Media Contacts
Reporters and education writers may contact the Director of Communications Kevin Burns by email at Kevin.Burns@state.mn.us.$4 million in Student Support Personnel Workforce Pipeline Grants Awarded to Minnesota Universities (4/19/24)
Today the Minnesota Department of Education announced that 10 programs at seven Minnesota universities were awarded a total of $4 million in Student Support Personnel Workforce Pipeline Program grants to be used to support students pursuing licensure as student support personnel in order to create a pipeline to expand the workforce in Minnesota.
Photo Release: MDE signs MOU with Mexican Ministries to Support Mexican Teachers in Minnesota Classrooms (4/8/24)
Commissioner Willie Jett was joined Friday by Ambassador Ivan Sierra, Head Consul of Mexico in Saint Paul for a signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Public Education with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE).
Photo Release: Commissioner Jett Visits Nay Ah Shing Schools (4/5/24)
Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Commissioner Willie Jett visited Nay Ah Shing Schools in Onamia this week to engage with students, meet with school leaders and tour the elementary school and the combined middle and high school.
83.3 Percent of Minnesota's Class of 2023 Graduated in Four Years (3/28/24)
Today the Minnesota Department of Education released the class of 2023’s graduation rate data. The 2023 graduation rate was 83.3% or 58,293 graduates, which represents a 0.3 percentage point decrease in the four-year graduation rate compared to the class of 2022.
Statement from Commissioner Jett on Dr. Joe Gothard Being Named 2024 National Superintendent of the Year (2/15/24)
Today Commissioner Willie Jett issued the following statement in response to Saint Paul Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard being named 2024 National Superintendent of the Year by AASA The School Superintendents Association.
Minnesota Students Selected for United States Senate Youth Program (2/15/24)
The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) announces that high school students Sydney McGrath and Deepti Pillai will join Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Tina Smith in representing Minnesota during the 62nd annual USSYP Washington Week, to be held March 2-9, 2024.
Photo Release: Commissioner Jett Visits Eight Schools in East Central Minnesota (1/26/24)
Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Commissioner Willie Jett visited eight schools this week to connect with students, educators and school leaders.
Photo Release: Commissioner Jett Connects with Student Journalists in Apple Valley (1/19/24)
Commissioner Willie Jett met with students at Eastview High School in Apple Valley and appeared on their student-produced news show, “The 4Cast”.
MDE Seeks Sponsors for the 2024 USDA Summer Food Service Program (1/17/24)
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is seeking sponsors for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). This program provides nutritious meals during the summer break for children ages 1-18 while they do not have access to school meals.
Photo Release: MDE Leadership Team Connects with Educators, Students Across Minnesota (1/3/24)
Commissioner Willie Jett and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) leadership team visited more than 150 school districts and charter schools since the spring.
