Education leaders talk about where Minnesota schools go from here

Minnesota schools are celebrating the end of a tumultuous and tough year and face a host of challenges as they head into summer and prepare for fall. 

Can schools revive the morale among teachers and support mental health among both staff and students who are struggling? How will schools accommodate the new enthusiasm among some families for virtual classes that became the norm during the pandemic? How will millions of dollars in stimulus funds be spent? And, how can schools improve their efforts to serve and teach low-income students and students of color at a time when many opportunities and achievement gaps widened during the pandemic?

MPR News host Angela Davis talked to two education leaders about lessons of the past year and plans going forward. 

Guests:

• Heather Mueller is commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education.

• Stephanie Burrage is the interim superintendent of Robbinsdale Area Schools and incoming deputy commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Education.