Minnesota ranks high in preparing children for success
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(AP) - Minnesota ranked third in the nation when it comes to preparing its children for a successful career, according to a study released Wednesday.
Only Connecticut and Virginia scored higher in the study, "From Cradle to Career: Connecting American Education from Birth Through Adulthood." It was prepared by Education Week to tally which states give children the best chance for success as educated, wage-earning adults.
The study used 13 indicators including family income, parent education, pre-school enrollment, reading and math scores, and high school graduation rates to rank all 50 states on how well they integrate early childhood efforts all the way through post-secondary options.
A major finding of the study overall is that the state or region in which a person grows up has a huge impact on the likelihood of their success in life.
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Minnesota scored particularly well in several areas:
- Family income. More than 72 percent of children in the state come from families earning 200 percent or more of poverty level. Nationally, 60 percent of Americans earn at that level.
- Parent education. Nearly 55 percent of Minnesota children had at least one parent with a post-secondary degree, compared to a national average of 42.5 percent.
- Parental employment. More than 76 percent of Minnesota children had at least one parent working full-time, year-round. Nationally, it's 71 percent.
- Elementary reading. Thirty-eight percent of fourth-graders in Minnesota were proficient on the National Assessments of Educational Progress, compared to a national average of just under 30 percent.
- Middle school math skills. Forty-three percent of eighth-graders in Minnesota were proficient on national math tests, compared to 28.5 percent nationally.
- High school graduation. Minnesota's 79 percent graduation rate compares favorably to the 69-percent national average.
The study's authors said they hope the rankings highlight the importance of integrating all areas of life that impact education and success. For instance, it found that factors like low birthweight, high poverty and low parent education creates an early disadvantage for children.
The study urged states to beef up early intervention, including early childhood education, saying it can help to offset the effects of family poverty. It also recommended that states do more to prepare young people for success after high school.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
