2011 issue brief: the achievement gap
Minnesota students score near the top of the nation—and even the world—on a variety of standardized tests. Yet our state has one of the nation’s largest achievement gaps between students in poverty and those from more advantaged families, and between students of color and white students.
Minnesota’s economic future depends on improving educational outcomes for all students. Because the roots of the achievement gap are complex, the solution must be multi-faceted and based on research and successful practice.
1. Invest in early learning programs for children from birth through kindergarten.
High-quality early childhood programs not only boost student success but save the state money by preventing future problems.
- Expand early childhood health and development screening to include educational needs and factors that may affect learning.
- Coordinate early learning programs within the Minnesota Department of Education to ensure all children have access to services.
- Require school districts to provide all-day, every-day kindergarten for all students and to offer or provide access to quality early childhood education from birth through kindergarten.
2. Require school districts to create plans to enhance parent and community involvement in the schools.
Parent involvement is essential to student success. Plans must include:
- Home visits to students’ families, parent education, and services to accommodate families, including translators and transportation.
- Flexible schedules to meet families’ needs.
- Coordination with community organizations.
- Delivery of needed services to families within school buildings.
3. Provide training, planning time and other support for teachers.
Quality professional development and a positive learning climate are critical to effective teaching and student success.
- Provide time for teachers to work together with data provided by the district to improve instruction of students.
- Train teachers in effective outreach and family support, and set aside coordinated planning time for teachers to work together on the needs of students.
- Require districts to address equity in their discipline policies and to adopt a Safe Schools for All policy.
- Require districts to adopt minimum school staffing standards to maintain a class size ratio of 18 students per licensed teacher and ratios of 250 students per counselor, 400 students per social worker, 750 regular students per school nurse and 1,000 students per psychologist.
For more information, contact:
Jan Alswager, chief lobbyist, 651-292-4890
Jodee Buhr, lobbyist, 651-292-4830
January 25, 2011