Task force offers new vision for Minnesota high schools
Imagine high schools where all students take classes that are challenging but relevant to their futures, where they have a relationship with at least one adult mentor and take courses that prepare them for enrolling in and completing some kind of post-high school education. This is the vision laid out by the Future of High Schools Task Force in their June 2007 report, The Bridge to Higher Learning.
Convened by the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals and facilitated by the University of Minnesota’s Consortium for Postsecondary Academic Success, the task force is in part a response to the statements by Microsoft’s Bill Gates and Gov. Tim Pawlenty that “high schools are obsolete.” The group pointed to many successes in our high schools, but acknowledged some serious problems. For example, according to the Minnesota Department of Education, 80 percent of white students graduate from high school in four years, compared with 40 percent of American Indian students, 68 percent of Asian students, 38 percent of black students and 30 percent of Hispanic students.
Focusing not just on enrollment in a technical school or a two- or four-year college or university, but completion makes this an ambitious proposal. It assumes that all students will need to have skills and credentials that will both prepare them for the global economy and ensure that they can earn a living wage. The report acknowledges that far-reaching changes will be needed — involving not just schools but families, communities and partners.
Recognizing the importance of educated workers to our economy, we asked some local business leaders for their reactions to the report.
“The goal to earn a credential or degree from a postsecondary institution is a good one if it provides workers who can think critically, who are collaborative across cultures, who are creative, and who have the general knowledge needed for tomorrow’s jobs,” said Alex Cirillo, vice president for the 3M Foundation. “Although the focus of the study was the changes needed in secondary education, these three skills and this knowledge must be taught from the earliest grades. It is the role of secondary education to reinforce and to expand these capabilities.” Cirillo emphasized that the relationship between schools, families and communities is critical since this is where expectations are established and where schools are empowered to change.
“Creating a sustainable, educated work force is critical to the future success of businesses in Minnesota,” said Janet Estep, executive vice president of U.S. Bank. “The task force has created a vision with a very high goal — but if achieved, it could create phenomenal results and help create ‘out of the box’ thinking about how high schools can effectively adapt into the future.”
Mark Chronister, who recently retired from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, believes that raising the bar is a “bare minimum necessity” if Minnesota has any hope of being competitive in a global economy. “While it is great that part of the education establishment has now delved into this, the dilemma is urgent and we don't have the luxury of doing this over time. And as for ‘it takes a village,’ it also takes the leadership of educators” he said. “We must also impart to students that they are ultimately accountable for the choices they make. With support and direction in the school environment, we can quit making excuses for the circumstance the students find themselves in and help them realize they have a future that is theirs alone.”
Todd Klingel, president of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber, believes the findings and recommendations of the task force coincide well with the Career and College Initiative the Chamber currently has underway in the Minneapolis High School system that helps students plan for life after high school. “It is critical for the students to be actively engaged in the process,” Klingel said. “Students who understand what it will take to be successful in tomorrow’s business community AND appreciate that there is a spot for them in that community, will succeed under the task force’s proposed plan.”
“‘The Bridge to Higher Learning’ sets out a bold vision to revitalize our state’s high schools,” said Kate Rubin, president of the Minnesota High Tech Association. “Higher education is the gateway to being engaged in the global economy and is critical to securing a bright economic future for today's high school students. Minnesota high tech companies are actively supporting legislative reforms, mentoring, volunteering in schools and much more. It is imperative for Minnesota’s future that more students graduate from higher education institutions ready to compete.”
One point on which educators and businesses agree is that high school reform is needed. This report suggests one approach that could benefit our students and our state.