Education

Achieving world-class education and closing the achievement gaps

Minnesota’s ability to remain competitive in the global economy depends on our success in providing all children with a world-class education. This world-class education begins before kindergarten, continues through elementary and secondary school and, increasingly, must culminate with some form of post-secondary education.

In fact, by the time this year’s 7th grade students graduate from high school, 70% of all jobs in Minnesota will require completion of some level of post-secondary education; making Minnesota the 3rd highest state in demand for post-secondary education.

At the same time, technology and changing demographics are creating opportunities to provide greater individualization of education (e.g. digital learning).

As active advocates for strengthening Minnesota’s education system for more than 35 years, the Minnesota Business Partnership is guided by four Principles for Education Reform:

• Set rigorous, world-class academic standards for students.
• Measure and report student progress – individually and by school – on a uniform and comparable basis.
• Give educators the flexibility to offer the programs they believe will be most effective for their students.
• Give families the ability to choose the programs they believe will best meet their children’s academic needs.

A copy of  the 2013 Education Policy Blueprint can be found here.

For more information, contact Education Policy Director Jim Bartholomew.