Good News for Minnesota Students and Families
The following column appeared in January and February, 2020 in a number of suburban and greater Minnesota newspapers of the APG of East Central Minnesota Newspaper group, including the Morrison County Record.
The column begins:
Good news for Minnesota students and families
Thousands of Minnesota students and families will benefit from decisions that Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker made the week of Jan. 15. After reviewing a new Center for School Change report, Ricker agreed to revise MDE guidance and request that every Minnesota district and chartered public school distribute this updated in-formation about the state’s Postsecondary Enrollment Options law.
Dual-credit courses, whether taught on high school or college campuses, can save families thousands, sometimes tens of thousands, in tuition, book and lab fees. These courses can and have helped reduce high school and college graduation gaps – a high priority in Minnesota. Some students report these programs transformed their lives.
Ricker is following state law, which mandates that public schools post “up to date” information about PSEO on their websites and distribute it to students in grades 8-11 and their families by March 1 or three weeks before students register for fall classes, whichever comes first.
MDE’s guidance is here: The report from the Center for School Change, which I direct, is available here:
The rest of this column is available here:
February 12, 2020 @ 8:51 am
This research is critically important in both making the case for dual credit opportunities to driving more equitable secondary and postsecondary attainment. Glad to see Commissioner Ricker’s leadership on this, as intention in communication and implementation efforts by districts is critical to ensuring access and success.
February 12, 2020 @ 12:15 pm
The opportunity for high school students to attend college with all-expenses-paid gives students an eye-opening experience and is one of the biggest bargains in education. We have seen high school students complete two years of college at the same time they graduate from high school. The state statute governing this program requires school districts to inform students of the opportunity. Some do (hurrah) and, some don’t (for shame).
1996 Langton Lake Dr.
St. Paul