Published Jan. 30, 2003	PROFBX

What is the Profile of Learning? It's the set of "high standards'" for Minnesota K-12 students. It's the partner of the "basic standards" that students need to graduate.

What do students have to do? Instead of listening to lectures, students are expected to show what they know through hands-on projects. In addition to needing a certain number of credits in English, math, science and other subjects to graduate, students complete a number of "content standards."

What are the standards? Standards come in 10 "learning areas": 1. Read, Listen and View. 2. Write and Speak. 3. Arts and Literature. 4. Mathematical Concepts and Applications. 5. Inquiry and Research. 6. Scientific Concepts and Applications. 7. Social Studies. 8. Physical Education and Lifetime Fitness. 9. Economics and Business. 10. World Languages.

How did we get here? The Profile is intended to teach students skills to succeed in the 21st century. It took effect in 1998 and has been under fire ever since. The Class of 2002 was supposed to be the first to complete 24 high-school standards. But in 2000, the Legislature gave school districts the option of going at their own pace. Some require just a few standards, some require 24, others are somewhere in between.

What's next? The Legislature is expected to repeal the Profile soon and institute new standards.