April 2009
In this issue:
"Minnesota Meeting” focuses on preparing students in math and science
Minnesota education 50 years from now
From our guest blogger
Get inspired
New research
“Minnesota Meeting” focuses on preparing students in math and science
An April 22 forum sponsored by the Minneapolis Foundation focused on the need for better preparation in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Former NASA astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison said Minnesota needs to develop a “science literate society” to ensure its economic competitiveness in the future. View the STEM fact sheet and more information about the Minnesota Meeting series on LearnmoreMN.
Minnesota education 50 years from now
Check out video clips from the 2008 State Fair discussions of education issues. As part of the state’s sesquicentennial celebration, the participants weighed in on what our education system will be like in 50 years and whether we’re doing what’s needed for Minnesota to continue to prosper. Find out more about the Minnesota @ 150 conversations on LearnmoreMN.
From our guest blogger
Minnesota 2020’s John Fitzgerald writes about The Importance of Class Sizes in his April 27 post: “There are many factors that create a quality education environment that maximizes each student’s ability to learn…. But all things being equal, a student in a class with 40 other students and one teacher isn’t going to learn very much.” Consider posting a comment to share your views.
Our bloggers change each month; if you’d like to volunteer for a month as a guest blogger for LearnmoreMN, please e-mail us info@learnmoremn.org.
Get inspired
John Tillotson, St. Paul businessman and Optimist Club member, helps kids who face extra challenges receive college scholarships. Serving these students benefits everyone, he says. Read the story about how Tillotson has gotten involved.
New research
New reports are added to LearnmoreMN frequently. Here are a few that are worth checking out:
- 2007–08 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study — 66% of all 2007-08 undergraduates received some type of financial aid with an average award amount of $9,100. The report describes the percentages of students receiving various types of financial aid and average amounts received.
- The Economic Impact of the Achievement Gap in America’s Schools — this report finds that existing gaps impose the economic equivalent of a permanent national recession larger than the deep recession the country is currently experiencing.
- Imagine Success: Engaging Entering Students — this report outlines six principles that are critical to maximizing students' success in the first year of community college.
- Squeeze Play 2009: The Public’s Views on College Costs Today — new public opinion research shows that a majority consider a college degree an indispensable ticket to the middle class, yet they believe college is financially out-of reach for many qualified students.
