Overview

Goal: All the region's 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

Overall, only about seven of 10 of our region’s students graduate on time from high school; rates for Black and Hispanic students are about half of that number. About one of three 11th grade students meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics. In third grade, about eight of 10 students meet or exceed reading proficiency standards, again with slightly lower rates among children Of Color.

From these data, it appears we need to address education issues early in children’s lives, if we want to improve the skills that the future adults of the region will bring to their family lives, civic lives, and work lives.

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.