Education Agenda Triggers Positive Responses
Attention is growing for the 2007 Education Agenda for the Common Good, released by the Minnesota Private College Council Nov. 16.
While media attention is important to building broad awareness, the Council has also been focusing on connecting directly with various stakeholders. For example, on the day of the release, before the agenda was shared with reporters, the Council held a meeting with a variety of community leaders. This was a particularly good opportunity to reconnect with stakeholders whose views were solicited in the development of the agenda. Other discussions with business and community leaders have been underway.
The agenda addresses two main challenges.
- To increase academic readiness and high school graduation rates, the state can:
- Expand proven access programs for high school students,
- Create new academic scholarships for first-generation high school students, whose parents haven’t completed college, and
- Generate greater public awareness of the importance of post-high school education.
- To improve the ability of low- and middle-income Minnesotans to afford post-high school education, the state can:
- Increase need based state aid through the State Grant Program, and
- Improve childcare support for student parents.
One strong endorsement for a component of the agenda has already emerged. The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce has come out strongly in favor of increasing funding for the state’s need-based aid for college students through the State Grant Program. The chamber sees this program as the best way to increase accessibility for the emerging workforce.
Initial newspaper and broadcast media coverage of the agenda focused on another component — the creation of new academic scholarships for high school students whose parents didn’t complete college themselves. In addition, two editorials have run in the Twin Cities that address the agenda. The Pioneer Press editorial noted the pending problem of demand for college-educated workers exceeding the supply. The agenda was outlined, with the suggestion that given the sizable demographic changes coming, Minnesota needs to get ready. The StarTribune editorial said the State Grant Program is due for a boost. It also credited the Council for coming up with an agenda that “tackles head-on a problem that is barreling straight at the Minnesota economy.”
Efforts to build attention for the agenda with various stakeholders and the public will continue. If you have a suggestion of a group or individual whom the Council should approach to discuss the state’s demographic challenges and this education agenda, contact Kate Metzger, (651) 293-6830.