[Winona Online Democracy] Statistical Summary When it comes to meeting standards of excellence, whether nationally or internationally, Minnesota students clearly measure up with the best. But, the governor's budget put Minnesota schools in danger. Here's what we risk: � 90% of 18-24 year olds have completed high school--one of the highest rates in the country. *NEGP, 1999 National Education Goals Report. � Minnesota fourth graders have the second highest science scores in the world. *NCES, Linking NAEP and TIMSS: A Technical Report. August, 1998. � Minnesota fourth and eighth graders rank second in the nation for having the highest math test scores. *NCES, Digest of Educational Statistics 1999. � Minnesota eighth graders are in the top four states for having the highest scores in reading. *NCES, Digest of Educational Statistics 1999. � Minnesota fourth graders are in the top six states for having the highest scores in reading. *NCES, Digest of Educational Statistics 1999. � Minnesota ranks first in the nation for having the highest percentage (81%) of secondary school teachers with a degree in their main teaching assignment. *NEGP, 1999 National Education Goals Report. � Minnesota ranks with the top five states in the nation for having computers in the classroom. Minnesota has one computer for every six students. *MN Dept. of Trade and Economic Development. Compare Minnesota: An Economical Statistical Fact Book: 1998/1999. � Minnesota's ACT and SAT scores are among the nation's highest MN Dept. of Trade and Economic Development. Compare Minnesota: An Economical Statistical Fact Book: 1998/1999. � The number of Minnesota teachers being honored with certification from the prestigious National Board of Professional Teaching Standards has increased by more than one-third since 1999. *NBPTS, "State-by-State Listing" November 2000. � In the Third International Mathematics and Science Study, Minnesota fourth graders performed above the international averages in math and science. In fact, in science, only South Korea scored significantly higher. Our eighth graders also posted above-average scores in math, and in science, only Singapore had a significantly higher score. Statistical Summary page 2 � The highly respected National Commission on Teaching and America's Future has consistently ranked Minnesota teachers No. 1 in the country. The Commission praised Minnesota for the preparation it requires of its student teachers, its high licensing standards and its highly qualified teachers. � Minnesota public schools are regularly included in the list of Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence each year by the U.S. Department of Education The challenges our schools face will get even worse under the governor's budget: � Minnesota ranks below the national average for having a high percentage of school districts reporting buildings in inadequate condition. *U.S. General Accounting Office, "School Facilities: America's Schools Report Differing conditions," June 1996. > > � A high percentage of Minnesota 4th and 8th graders in large classes >(over 25 students). *NCES, Digest of Educational Statistics 1999. � The >average salary of Minnesota teachers with a bachelor's degree is $10,100 >less than the average salary of workers in other occupations with a >comparable education, and the average salary for teachers with a master's >degree is $17,600 less than their counterparts in other occupations. >*"Salary Gap" Quality Counts 2000. � Teacher salaries in Minnesota have >grown the least in the last 10 years of all Great Plains or Great Lakes >states, and Minnesota teacher salaries are the lowest of all Great Lakes >states. Minnesota is one of only eight states in the country where teacher >salaries grew less than 1% in constant dollars over the past 10 years. >*NEA Rankings and Estimates. > > Alliance For Student Achievement Association of Metropolitan School >Districts o Education Minnesota o Minnesota Association of School >Administrators o Minnesota Association of School Business Officials o >Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals o Minnesota >Elementary School Principals' Association o Minnesota Parent Teacher >Association o Minnesota Rural Education Association o Minnesota School >Boards Association o Schools for Equity in Education ---------------- This message was posted to the Winona Online Democracy Project. Please visit http://onlinedemocracy.winona.org to subscribe or unsubscribe. Please sign all messages posted to this list with your actual name. Posting of commercial solicitations is not allowed on this list. Report problems to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
