Minnesota has become home to the second largest academic achievement gap in the country.
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Minnesota has become home to the second largest academic achievement gap in the country.
Statewide, only 18% of Latino students and 13 percent of African-American students were proficient on the most recent 11th grade math test. In Minneapolis, the difference in proficiency levels between black and white students hovers around 50 percentage points for both reading and math. Minnesota has recognized that preventing and closing the achievement gap is a priority and are exploring ways to address this.
The Education Trust, an advocacy group in Washington D.C., and Education Minnesota, the Minnesota teacher's union, have suggested some ideas to close this gap. This includes assessing students more often, reducing class sizes, raising standards for core curriculum, attracting and hold good teachers, mentoring during the first five years of teaching, and establishing longer school days or years. Others have suggested community meetings that are culturally inclusive and language-specific to create a bond between the school and the community.
Minneapolis Public Schools and legislators have also been making an effort to decrease the number of high school drop-outs. From knocking on the doors of drop-out students to encourage them to return to school, to exploring passing legislation that would increase the drop-out age from 16 to 18.
Be a part of the local movement by getting involved with your local Waiting for “Superman” campaign.
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