A 15-year-old student at Maple Grove Junior High School was taking notes while his science teacher conducted an experiment. The next thing he knew, he was burning. Fox 9 says the class was learning about methanol, a flammable substance, when a container exploded.

The Osseo School District is making changes to its teacher-led science demonstrations after four students were injured in a classroom accident at Maple Grove Junior High. In a 71-page report, the district says the methanol "flash bottle" demonstration will not be allowed pending further review. It also calls for a more stringent approval process for science demonstrations and a detailed list of approved demonstrations.

Teachers currently have three years to pass a basic skills test, but a bill that received unanimous backing in the House would require teachers to pass the test before they work in the classroom and would also make the exam more rigorous.

A science teacher at Maple Grove Junior High has been placed on leave after an experiment went haywire and left four students with mild to severe burns. KARE 11 says the teacher will be on leave with pay until the district can wrap up its investigation.

Supporters of the move hope a new permanent board could raise more money from the 2.5 million acres of land that the federal government gave the state in 1858. But those who believe the DNR should retain control say the move would leave the land vulnerable to degradation.

School counselors say they provide a service students won't get in a classroom. But there are more than 3,400 students for each licensed elementary school counselor in Minnesota. Experts say counselors often get cut when budgets are tight.