New “hybrid” courses offered this year at Jefferson High School give students the opportunity to spend some days working online at home, in the library or at the local coffee shop and other days in a traditional classroom with an instructor.

Online courses are nothing new in the increasingly technological world, and hybrid courses are becoming more common at the college level. But Bloomington school officials aren’t aware of any other Twin Cities high schools that offer them.

Many of the classes are in major subject areas, such as physics and language arts.

My Idea

I would recommend that other schools look at hybrid courses. It better prepares students for college, increases technological skills, and its not a boring traditional method that will put the kids to sleep.

Hybrid courses are often preferable to online courses because students don’t completely give up the social interaction of the traditional classroom, said Richard Beach, a professor of English education at the University of Minnesota.

Hybrid classes work best for independent learners, good troubleshooters and good organizers.

Bloomington school officials don’t know if the classes have a positive impact on students’ test scores, but in surveys, students have said the classes are more engaging. They say they have improved their technology skills and that they feel better prepared for college.

Resources

http://www.startribune.com/local/west/42016602.html?page=1&c=y

Minnesotans value higher education, and we all agree education is key to remaining competitive in today’s fast-paced global economy.  But college tuition in Minnesota has been rising for years, and with it, student loan debt.  More Minnesota students are borrowing to go to college and those that borrow do so at amounts greater than the national average. (Source: Minnesota Office of Higher Education)

Repaying those debts can dramatically affect where a graduate will live and work and what career they will choose. And for smaller Minnesota communities, this can add up to a real brain drain.

That’s why I authored legislation to support low- and middle-income college graduates so they can continue to live, work and pay taxes in Minnesota.  Under the Education Opportunity Credit, any Minnesota student who earns an associate or bachelors degree from a Minnesota college with a student loan can receive a 50 percent tax credit on tuition loan repayments. The degree can be from any Minnesota two- or four-year college or community college, public or private.

Minnesota is facing a dramatic shift in population. More Minnesotans are retiring, leaving a smaller workforce pool to support an aging and dependent population. This legislation will help us retain the skilled and educated work force necessary to remain competitive and attract well-paying jobs. And only Minnesotans who live, work and pay taxes in Minnesota after graduating will benefit.

Minnesota’s past success is largely due to our highly trained and motivated work force.  Helping Minnesota college graduates to live and work in our state ensures the Minnesota promise works for everyone.

The current system of discounted tuition in public colleges is not effective in allowing highly talented 3.0 or higher High School graduates access a college education without facing astronomical tuition costs and fees.

My Idea

The basic requirements are:

* The student is a resident of the state of Minnesota
* The student graduated high school with a 3.0 GPA (’B average’)
* The student maintains a 3.0 GPA throughout college
The scholarship pays full tuition, a $150 per semester book allowance, and most mandatory fees for the recipient to attend any public university in Minnesota up until the semester in which the student takes his or her 150th academic hour. an equivalent amount should be applied towards tuition for private universities in Minnesota
* The program should be entirely merit-based, meaning that a student’s ability to pay for his/her own education is not a factor in determining if he/she receives it .
* The program be based totally on revenue gained from the Minnesota State Lottery.

Resources