Recent Recipients

What is the Award for Excellence in Education?
Senator Mark Dayton has established the Award for Excellence in Education to publicly recognize the thousands of individual success stories that occur in our schools each day. Minnesota schools and school districts will be recognized for outstanding contributions to the lives of their students and for improving students' academic performances.

A school or district may be nominated for its overall academic program; or nominations may focus on one innovative program or initiative that demonstrates excellence in education.

The award is noncompetitive. All schools that are nominated and exceed expectations for providing a high quality education will receive the award. Awards will be given continuously throughout the school year.

Who can nominate a school or district for the award?
Any person or group can nominate a school or district. Parents, students, teachers, school administrators, and school board members are all encouraged to recognize the outstanding contributions of their schools by nominating them for the Award for Excellence in Education.

How do I nominate a school or district for an Award for Excellence in Education?
Nominations can be made at any time during the school year and must include a cover letter, signed by the school board chair or superintendent, with the name of the school or district and a contact person. Please attach a brief narrative of why you feel the school or district deserves the award. Use the suggested format and questions below for your narrative. Anecdotes illustrating the school's success are encouraged. Narratives need not exceed 1,250 words. You may attach any other information you believe is essential.

Suggested format for nominations:
All nominations should respond to the first three questions. You may select additional questions that will help illustrate the excellence in education provided at your district or school.

 1. In your opinion, what should be the top criteria for a school or district to be recognized as providing excellence in education? How has your school or district met or exceeded those criteria? How do you hold your school or district accountable for excellence in education?

2. Describe a characteristic of quality education that you believe would help describe your school or district. How has this characteristic contributed to improved student achievement?

3. What steps has your school or district taken to promote high standards of academic excellence for all students?

4. How has your school or district engaged students in the classroom?

5. How has your school or district improved the surrounding community?

6. Include comments from students, parents, and school staff that demonstrate their pride in the quality of education provided by their school or district.

7. What other information would be helpful in evaluating your nomination?

What do recipients of the Award of Excellence in Education receive?
Every school or district that is recognized with an Award of Excellence in Education will receive a flag that has been flown over the nation's Capitol. Senator Dayton will also provide a framed certificate and a copy of a Congressional Record statement honoring the school's achievement.

How will the recipients of the Award for Excellence in Education be determined?
Senator Dayton will determine the recipients of the award, based on the nominees' records of promoting academic success. Mark and his staff will review the nomination narratives to determine which schools and districts have excelled in delivering the highest quality education to their students.

Where do we send our nominations?
Please submit nominations to:

Senator Mark Dayton
Attention: Jim Gelbmann
Fort Snelling Federal Building, Suite 298
1 Federal Drive
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55111

Nominations may also be submitted electronically from the Superintendent's e-mail account to: Awards@dayton.senate.gov.