Education is the driving force behind our success. It's the engine of our economy. The state with the best-educated population wins the race for prosperity and security.

Education is our biggest opportunity and our one true competitive advantage in a fiercely competitive global economy.

Today only about half of Minnesota 9th graders become college students and only 23 percent of Minnesota 9th graders become college graduates with a BA degree. That may be good compared to the rest of the country, but it's like having a first class cabin on the Titanic on the sea of global competition. (Between 1991 and 2001, compared to the rest of the world, the United States slipped from 2nd to 15th in its rate of college participation.)

• Kids who are school-ready at kindergarten (today less than half are ready).
• At least a year's gain in learning for every student, every year in school - no exceptions (today in some districts only about half gain that much each year).
• Every 9th grader continuing on for two years after high school (today only about half do so).
• Doubling the percentage of Minnesota 9th graders who become college graduates with a BA degree (today it is only about 23 percent).

• Early learning in every family - at home and in care settings - with a focus on what works and the means to measure success.
• Standards that stand for something - diplomas that mean high school grads are ready for college or work, without a doubt (and without remediation once they get there).
• Evidence of learning gains - every year, in every classroom.
• Effective teaching - every year, for every student, no exceptions.
• Student/family responsibility - It's not just the schools.
• 11th and 12th grade available as the first two years of college for every student.
• Scholarships based on need and shared responsibility for every student who makes the grade.

Click below to see our proposal for reforming the state's Education system.

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