Macalester College Hosts "Closing the Achievement Gap" Panel Discussion

Investment in education has long been touted as what has made Minnesota great. From the Minnesota Miracle to the number of Fortune 500 companies settled here to the thriving arts and culture and philanthropic scenes to the most civically engaged population nationwide, our highly educated citizenry makes possible our way of life. Minnesota students traditionally perform at the top on standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT, but what these statewide averages conceal is that students of color consistently score at rates far below their white classmates. This disparity, both in academic performance, as well as fiscal investment, is commonly known as the achievement gap. It occurs all across the United States, but Minnesota's case is particularly interesting, given how wide the gap is, and how despite it, taken as an aggregate, our students remain top performers. For an opportunity to further discuss this issue, and its far-reaching implications on employment, education, economic vitality, and more, attend the panel discussion highlighted below, hosted this Wednesday at Macalester College.

 

Closing the Achievement Gap Panel Discussion What: What are the most important things to be done to close performance gaps linked to race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status, while still promoting overall progress? Who:

• Carlos Mariani, chair, Minnesota House K-12 Education Committee, 1979 Macalester graduate
• Valeria Silva, superintendent, St. Paul Public Schools
• Mary Cathryn Ricker, president, St. Paul Federation of Teachers
• Bill Wilson, director, Higher Ground Academy, former St. Paul City Council president
• Chris Coleman, mayor, city of St. Paul

When: Wednesday, November 3, 2010, 4:30 pm Where: Macalester College Alexander Hill Ballroom, Kagin Commons 1600 Grand Ave., St. Paul, Minn.

Contact: Barbara K. Laskin, Macalester College, 651-696-6451

Sponsored by: Macalester’s American Studies, Educational Studies, History, Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, Multicultural Life and Political Science Departments, the Civic Engagement Center, and the Center for School Change.