Education Minnesota expects good news on grad rates to continue

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ST. PAUL, Minn. Feb. 23, 2017 – The graduation rate for Minnesota high school students is increasing and Education Minnesota President Denise Specht said Thursday she hopes the trend will continue due to recent investments in early childhood education and full-service community schools, which offer a variety of extra services for students and their families.
 
“These gains are the result of the hard work of students, parents and educators at all levels of public education. There’s certainly more to do, but the progress is undeniable,” Specht said. “And we’re hopeful the growth will continue, and accelerate, because we have the blueprint for how to do it.”
 
In the past five years, Gov. Mark Dayton and the Minnesota Legislature have given all students access to all-day, every-day kindergarten. However, full-service community schools and free preschool taught by professional educators are currently available only in select communities. All three programs have been shown to improve educational outcomes for all students, but especially for students of color.
 
“Recent investments in early learning and full-service community schools will pay off in a few years in even higher graduation rates, but not everywhere equally,” Specht said. “Minnesota needs to offer all these programs to any family who needs them, because every student deserves an equal opportunity for success.”

About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota is the voice for professional educators and students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and education 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.