Learnmore Facts

Learnmore is an initiative to promote discussion and identify new solutions to ensure that more Minnesota children succeed in school and pursue higher education — for their sakes and our state's future.
More than 100 individuals — representing business, education, service groups and a variety of other Minnesota communities who are concerned about our state’s future — are supporters.
Learnmore began in 2005 as an effort initiated by the Minnesota Private College Council, with initial campaign sponsorship provided by the St. Paul Travelers Foundation and the Foundation for Independent Higher Education.

Learnmore’s objective is to inspire and foster innovative policies and programs that better prepare, inspire and support students in the pursuit of higher education.
Learnmore promotes a vision for our state that recognizes the important role education plays in meeting Minnesota’s challenges due to rapidly changing demographics and increasing global competition.

Since 1991, the United States has slipped from second to 15th in the world in the proportion of the youth population going on to colleges and universities.
While the number of high school graduates will increase nationally in the next decade, it will decline in Minnesota by 10 percent.
By 2013, nonwhite racial/ethnic groups will constitute 21 percent of Minnesota's high school graduates — a 52 percent increase in minority students and a 19 percent decrease in white students compared with 2003 levels.
As the number of high school graduates declines, Minnesota college graduates will decline by 11.2 percent over the next ten years.
In 2000, Minnesotans over age 65 represented 12 percent of our population. By 2030, the number of senior citizens will grow to 21 percent. The number of workers supporting each retiree is decreasing rapidly.
By 2017 Minnesota workforce growth and the replacement of retiring seniors will create a demand for college-educated workers that exceeds the number of graduates by 13,000 per year.
Since 1975, the United States has slipped from third to 17th in the world in the percentage of students pursuing science and engineering degrees.