The district has hired a private company to supervise children during recess at seven elementary schools.

The full impact of Minnesota's new accountability system came into view this week with the announcement of the final group of schools facing new labels and corrective actions. The state now uses its own system after it won a waiver from the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind law. Using the new definitions makes the overall picture seem rosier: 213 schools are now labeled underperforming in some way, compared to more than 1,000 under No Child Left Behind.

Now that Minnesota schools are out from under the federal No Child Left Behind law – and working under a more flexible state accountability system – Minnesota's 127 lowest-performing schools have submitted school-specific plans for boosting achievement, the Star Tribune reports. School leaders have plans for fixes ranging from adding more math to the school day, to helping parents work with their preschoolers.

The state has developed new ways to measure school performance if a requested waiver from No Child Left Behind is approved. The Education Commissioner thinks they'll be fairer and more accurate. A state business leader thinks they'll "destroy the accountability system for schools."

Federal Reserve President Narayana Kocherlakota says Minnesota is further along in the economic recovery than the nation as a whole and fared better during the recession, as well.

District leaders on Monday night will meet for the first time to reconsider the district's policy on classroom discussions on religion and sexual orientation. Critics say the current policy, which says staff members should not discuss the topics in school, leaves some kids vulnerable to bullies and harassment.