Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) • Feb. 13
Gov. Pawlenty used his annual speech to focus on teaching and technology in the schools. He urged lawmakers to expand the number of teachers in Minnesota by making it easier for midcareer professionals to become teachers and by encouraging young people to enter the profession. To help improve training for math and science teachers, he is recommending a summer institute for 1,000 teachers over the next two years. Gov. Pawlenty also expressed interest in revising state teacher evaluations, now done only during the first three years of a teacher’s career. A system of post-tenure review should be established, he said. And he emphasized the importance of technology in the classroom. Science and technology has been a theme for governors in a number of states this year. (“Ohio Initiative Adds to STEM Momentum,” Feb. 6, 2008.)
Read more 2008 State of the States speeches.
