Minneapolis Indian Education gets $1.2 million from U.S. Department of Education

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Minneapolis Public Schools received a $1.2 million grant for Indian education from the U.S. Department of Education in December. The money will go to prepare American Indian students in the class of 2014 for graduation. Every ninth grade American Indian student currently enrolled in Minneapolis schools will participate in the Personalized Resources and Education Pathways or PREP program. The program is designed to pair all ninth grade students with mentors who meet regularly with students to set goals along the path to graduation.In order to graduate from high school, students in Minneapolis public schools are required to pass the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment II test. According to the Minnesota Department of Education, 37 percent of American Indian students in Grade 10 passed the MCA II in Reading, 18 percent of students in Grade 11 passed the MCA II test in math, and 19 percent of all American Indian students passed the test in science.Noting the achievement gap for American Indian students exists statewide and nationwide, Danielle Grant, Director of Minneapolis Indian Education, says she believes low graduation rates stem from a combination of a factors, starting with students who find little value in education, coupled with lack of money and resources. Continue Reading

Closing the American Indian achievement gap in Minnesota schools

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According to a 2009 report to the State of Minnesota, only two of five American Indian high school students in Minnesota graduate high school within four years, as compared to four out of five white students. That’s just one of the statistics on the American Indian student achievement gap, which was the focus of a November 15 conference, sponsored by the Minnesota Humanities Center. In broad terms, the achievement gap is defined as significant disparities between groups of students. The MHC invited parents, community members, teachers, and school administrators to Mounds Park American Indian Magnet school in St. Paul to review the achievement data of American Indian students, especially as described in the report.The report was compiled by the Advisory Task Force on Minnesota American Indian Tribes and Communities and K-12 Standards Based Reform. Continue Reading