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Two encouraging signs of progress |
From school classrooms and college campuses, there were two important, encouraging pieces of news last week. First, the number of Minnesota public school students taking and passing Advanced Placement tests increased again last year. Both white and minority students showed gains. This is one area where the gap between students is decreasing. Second, in a valuable display of cooperation, the Minnesota State College and University System, University of Minnesota and Minnesota Department of Education opened a new website that brings together a vast array of information that students, families and educators will find useful. It’s at www.mnlearningcom mons.org.
Let’s start with Advanced Placement. New figures show that overall, the number of Minnesota public school students taking Advanced Placement tests increased to 26,927, an increase of more than 10 percent. The number of students scoring 3-5 (on a 1-5 scale) increased even more – by 13 percent. Some colleges given students credit if they score 3 or higher. Many colleges give students credit if they score 4 or 5.
A second part of the good news about AP is that while white student participation and success increased, participation and success by American Indian, Asian American, Black and Mexican American students increased at an even faster rate. The number of white students scoring 3-5 increased by 12 percent, while the number of Black students scoring 3-5 increased by 22 percent, Mexican American students increased by 19 percent, Asian American students increased by 18 percent and American Indian students scoring 3-5 increased by 41 percent! (Full disclosure – a member of our family teaches AP classes in a Minnesota public high school).
In a press release, Minnesota Commissioner of Education Alice Seagren commented: “The increase in Advanced Placement test scores once again shows that as we raise academic expectations, Minnesota students will rise to the challenge. Since 2004, the number of students enrolled in AP courses increased by more than 10,000 students. At the same time, the number of students achieving high test results also increased. We must continue to expand opportunities for all students to experience rigorous postsecondary courses in high school.”
Taking and passing Advanced Placement classes means students are better prepared for colleges and universities. It also means that they are saving themselves hundreds, even thousands of dollars.
Speaking of higher education, we saw a valuable display of cooperation last week, as the www.mnlearn ingcommons.org website debuted. Here are just a few of the hundreds of items available:
•College and university scholarships.
•Help in filling out federal scholarship eligibility forms.
•On-line courses.
•Post Secondary Enrollment Options at various college campuses.
•Location of places where you can learn English, or tutor someone who wants to learn English.
•The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) that focuses on “ensuring quality educational opportunities for all military children affected by mobility, family separation, and transition.”
These are just a few examples of what’s available.
Unquestionably schools, students, educators, families, colleges and universities face challenges. But let’s also give credit to the many educators, students and families who are working hard, skillfully and effectively. As Minnesotans begin a new school year, it’s a good time to acknowledge and honor progress.
Editor’s note: Joe Nathan, a former public school teacher and administrator, directs the Center for School Change, Humphrey Institute, University of Minnesota
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