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Oct 2, 2008 1:02 pm US/Central
Report: Mpls. Schools Improving, But Barely
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
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The new initiative for Minneapolis schools measures students in five areas -- kindergarten readiness, 3rd grade reading, 8th grade math, graduation rates, and college readiness.
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Minneapolis schools held their annual state of the schools report Thursday. Last year, Minneapolis schools began an initiative to measure how students are doing. Their biggest goal was to close the achievement gap between white students and students of color.
For the most part, Minneapolis students did better last year than they did the year before, but not by much.
The new initiative for Minneapolis schools measures students in five areas -- kindergarten readiness, 3rd grade reading, 8th grade math, graduation rates, and college readiness.
"These five measures recognize our obligation to launch these students into the world. They are measures that educators, researchers and the average parent can all agree make sense," said Dr. Bill Green, superintendent of Minneapolis schools.
The latest results continue to show a huge disparity in the achievements of white students compared with other students. Last year 59 percent of 5-year-olds were ready for kindergarten. Only 24 percent of Hispanic students were ready.
When it came to 3rd grade reading, proficiency was actually down. Thirty-five percent of 8th graders made the grade in math and fewer than one-third of students tested college ready.
But the good news game in graduation rates. Seventy-three percent of students graduated last year, up 6 percent from the year before.
"If my children are struggling, then how are children of color doing in our district? That's always my indicator. Ya know, how sustainable is it for them, for their parents, for their families," said Kate Towle, who has two students enrolled in Minneapolis Public Schools.
Enrollment was higher than projected in six years. The superintendent says that means people are sticking with Minneapolis schools and coming back to them instead of going to private or charter schools.
The Minneapolis district has a
school referendum Nov. 4. The superintendent said if it doesn't pass, the district will be forced to cut $30 million.
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