Free Dental Care for Children who do not have access to dental care or who cannot afford needed dental care:

The Minnesota Dental Association is again sponsoring "Give Kids a Smile", a two-day dental outreach program, on February 3rd and 4th, 2012. Dental professionals from around the state will provide free dental care to low-income children in need. Call United Way 211 (just dial 2-1-1) or 800-543-7709; operators will direct you to a participating dental office in our area. An online list is also available at www.mndental.org. Parents will then need to call the dental office to schedule an appointment. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and must have an appointment in advance; same-day, walk-in care is not available on these days. Click here for more information.

While Minnesota science scores remain flat, STMA students’ scores are pulling away from their state peers. MCA-II Science scores for STMA tenth grade students showed 61.4% were proficient compared to 53.8% for their Minnesota peers. The 7.6% difference compared to 1.2% last year ranked tenth grade students in the top 25% of students proficient in Minnesota. The results mirror the recent ACT scores for STMA graduates who scores ranked above Minnesota and the nation.

Read more in the full article.

Minnesota students, including those in STMA, are among the best in the nation when it comes to ACT scores. The STMA Class of 2011 scored an average of 22.9 out of a possible 36, matching the Minnesota state average score. The average statewide score is unchanged from last year and is nearly two points above the national average of 21.1. Students were tested in subjects including English, Reading, Math and Science.

ACT scores for STMA graduates have consistently increased over the last five years on each of the four tests and composite categories. STMA scores exceed the state and national average in Math and Science.

Read more in the full article.