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The Education Achievement Gap: Minnesota's Embarrassment

Sound Learning Feature for November 2004

This month we revisit a Public Insight Journalism special from Minnesota Public Radio. Students in Minnesota are traditionally among the nation's top performers on key standardized tests. Unfortunately, the statewide averages mask an embarrassing reality. Students of color consistently score far below their white classmates. This disparity in academic performance between groups of students is known as the achievement gap. It's a national problem. But Minnesota's gap is particularly wide.

The percentage of minority public school students in Minnesota has doubled in the past 14 years, and projections show no slowdown in that increase. Meanwhile, minority students perform less well than white students by 20 percent on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment Test. That gap is considerably larger for Hispanic and black students.

The articles in this month's feature are of particular interest to teachers and students of American history, political science, and civics.

Click on these links to find instructional ideas and study guides for the material on the Minnesota Public Radio site.
DocumentThe Education Achievement Gap: Minnesota's Embarrassment
DocumentReading Comprehension
DocumentListening Comprehension
DocumentCritical Thinking
DocumentResearch Challenges
DocumentKey Terms and Topics
 
Featured Resources
The student exercises provided this month are based on articles featured in the Minnesota Public Radio series: The Education Achievement Gap.

Document"The Education Achievement Gap: Minnesota's Embarrassment"

DocumentRacial Learning Gap Defies Easy Explanation or Solution

DocumentRoots of Gap Based in Race, Culture Differences

DocumentThe Cost of Minnesota's Racial Achievement Gap

DocumentCan Early Ed Close the Gap?

DocumentClosing the Gap: One School's Approach



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