Education Minnesota congratulates students and schools on MCAs; calls for action to close achievement gap
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ST. PAUL, Minn., Sept. 14, 2011: The following is a statement from Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher regarding the latest MCA results released by the Minnesota Department of Education.
"The latest MCA test results reaffirm that Minnesota public schools are strong and getting stronger. The improvements in reading and 11th-grade math are signs Minnesota continues to move in the right direction. We congratulate all students, parents and teachers for helping make Minnesota schools some of the best in the nation.
"But there is much more to be done. It is imperative to take immediate steps to close the achievement gap, and bring the excellent education found in most Minnesota classrooms to every Minnesota classroom.
"We can do this by investing in early childhood learning programs and voluntary, all-day-every-day kindergarten. We should also focus our attention on reforming the three dozen or so schools where students struggle the most academically, by lowering class sizes and lengthening school days if necessary. We’re also proposing health and wellness programs be brought right onto school property so we can ensure all students come to school healthy and ready to learn. These reforms work.
"Good parenting, excellent teaching, strong community support and the mentality that investing now pays off in the future are all vital components for a great education. Minnesota can close the achievement gap if all of us accept our share of that responsibility."
About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota represents 70,000 professionals working together for excellence in education for all students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and educational support professionals in Minnesota’s public school districts, faculty members at Minnesota’s community and technical colleges and University of Minnesota campuses in Duluth and Crookston, retired educators and student teachers. Education Minnesota is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/EducationMN
September 14, 2011