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Goal: All Minnesota students graduate from high school and are prepared for post-secondary education.
Minnesota has long enjoyed a reputation for its high-quality public education, placing at or near the top in many nation-wide rankings and measures. But these encouraging statistics mask growing concerns of a widening achievement gap that is leaving many students unprepared for a successful future. Research is clear that a high-quality, rigorous and relevant education is essential to prepare students for an increasingly competitive, complex and global economy, so they can become productive citizens.
what's happening
We need to address education issues early in children’s lives and make sure academic progress continues through high school and beyond if we want our future workforce prepared for the challenges of a global economy. Currently:
- Seventy-six percent of the 3rd graders across the state read at grade level in 2010, but only 59 percent those who transferred schools during the year did.
- About 43 percent of 11th grade students in Minnesota achieved state standards in math in 2010, up significantly from 30 percent in 2006. High school juniors in the Twin Cities are slightly more likely to be proficient than those in Greater Minnesota.
- Overall, only about 7 of 10 of our state’s students graduated on time from high school in 2008; less than half of students of color. There has been little progress improving this rate during the past 6 years.
making connections
Having well-educated residents in our region helps to strengthen the economy and workforce and increases civic engagement. In addition, when more people participate in work and civic life, public safety increases.
