Beating the national averages — when they are depressed / declining too — is nothing to be boastful about. There are no easy or inexpensive solutions. A serious effort to emulate the public education standards and accomplishments of global top performers should be made. From what I’ve read, Finland is one example to consider.
Thanks for the candid assessment and willingness to look below the surface, and being open-minded enough to incorporate Catrin Wigfall's factual assessment of this dire situation. If the state's leadership, in this case the Governor and Commissioner of Education, don't confront reality we are ignoring the disastrous impact on our children and society. I would have thought a Governor with a teaching background would have been out in front on this.
This seems like an intractable problem that defies solution. And it has, forever,
through DFL, GOP and IP administrations. But let’s try adopting proven best practices from around the world, no matter whose toes get stepped on in the process. It’s gotta be better than the status quo.
Your article was an excellent recap of the failures in today high schools. I think same can be said for elementary schools. This was posted by Harvard just a week ago:
The Harvard Math Department will pilot a new introductory course aimed at rectifying a lack of foundational algebra skills among students, according to Harvard’s Director of Introductory Math Brendan A. Kelly. Harvard accepts about 4.5% freshman class out of 40,000 who apply.
I would like to add 2 more ingredients that might improve the education of our future leaders;
One is the parents. Minnesota seems to leave them out when trying to improve the education goals. For me the Parent(s) are key. The second one is DISCIPLINE. Per the Teachers union head: No. 1 problem is Discipline. If the state is going to take responsibility to feed every kid breakfast & lunch, they might as well discipline them too.
You can raise teacher pay, but remember the old saying: 'Those who can, do. Those who cannot, teach'. This is an insult to teachers. I sub in a catholic middle school occasionally & you could not pay me enough to do that job every day. Keep writing. All the best, Rick
Good question. According to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, about 62% of MN high school graduates attended a post-secondary school in the fall following graduation (2023 data). About 28% went to two-year schools, the remainder to four-year schools.
Beating the national averages — when they are depressed / declining too — is nothing to be boastful about. There are no easy or inexpensive solutions. A serious effort to emulate the public education standards and accomplishments of global top performers should be made. From what I’ve read, Finland is one example to consider.
Thanks for the candid assessment and willingness to look below the surface, and being open-minded enough to incorporate Catrin Wigfall's factual assessment of this dire situation. If the state's leadership, in this case the Governor and Commissioner of Education, don't confront reality we are ignoring the disastrous impact on our children and society. I would have thought a Governor with a teaching background would have been out in front on this.
This seems like an intractable problem that defies solution. And it has, forever,
through DFL, GOP and IP administrations. But let’s try adopting proven best practices from around the world, no matter whose toes get stepped on in the process. It’s gotta be better than the status quo.
Tommy Boy,
Your article was an excellent recap of the failures in today high schools. I think same can be said for elementary schools. This was posted by Harvard just a week ago:
The Harvard Math Department will pilot a new introductory course aimed at rectifying a lack of foundational algebra skills among students, according to Harvard’s Director of Introductory Math Brendan A. Kelly. Harvard accepts about 4.5% freshman class out of 40,000 who apply.
I would like to add 2 more ingredients that might improve the education of our future leaders;
One is the parents. Minnesota seems to leave them out when trying to improve the education goals. For me the Parent(s) are key. The second one is DISCIPLINE. Per the Teachers union head: No. 1 problem is Discipline. If the state is going to take responsibility to feed every kid breakfast & lunch, they might as well discipline them too.
You can raise teacher pay, but remember the old saying: 'Those who can, do. Those who cannot, teach'. This is an insult to teachers. I sub in a catholic middle school occasionally & you could not pay me enough to do that job every day. Keep writing. All the best, Rick
What percentage of MN high-school graduates go on for further education in trade schools, 2- year or 4-year college? Joe Duffy
Good question. According to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, about 62% of MN high school graduates attended a post-secondary school in the fall following graduation (2023 data). About 28% went to two-year schools, the remainder to four-year schools.