Star Tribune: Ads Expose Plight of Minority Students
Urgency is needed to ensure Minnesota schools serve all students. Recent high school graduation data shows that we’re failing our students of color. The latest national figures for graduation rates (2016-17) for African American and Hispanic students placed us 50th among the 50 states. Our graduation rates for Native American students ranked 49th out of 50.
In the spring of 2019, we launched a major public service campaign to call attention to Minnesota’s glaring achievement gaps and push for workable solutions. The campaign includes billboards, transit wraps, and social media posts. Originally visible in Minneapolis and St. Paul, the campaign has expanded into the suburbs including the 394 corridor.
Our Board Chair Mike Ciresi and Board Secretary Roberta Walburn were recently interviewed about the campaign by the Star Tribune’s state education reporter. They spoke about their hope that these messages will spark discussion and change by lawmakers, taxpayers, school leaders, and parents.
To learn more about the inequities in Minnesota’s education system, visit this webpage.