Smart Investments in Minnesota’s Students Presented by Angie Eilers, Ph D

1. Smart Investments in Minnesota’s Students Presented by Angie Eilers, Ph D Research and Policy Director

2. What is Growth & Justice? A progressive voice on state economic issues. A non-partisan advocate for fair taxation and "smart" public investment that advances prosperity for all Minnesotans. We believe a sustainable economy provides the foundation for a just society.

3. Our process for change Start with the facts Reframe the issue Engage the public and specialists Propose strategic frameworks and policies Initiate statewide discussions Work toward change

4. Growth & Justice Agenda for Real Prosperity Comprehensive education Infrastructure & economic development Healthy communities Smart Investments in Minnesota’s People & Places Government accountability Fair Share Taxation

5. Why Invest Now? We’re losing our economic edge — and the trends are heading the wrong direction

6. We weren’t always above average Minnesota’s income growth followed investment

7. Investment impact When we invested more, our economy did better 5.24% 4.40% 3.69% 3.66% 1991-1998 1998-2005 Minnesota’s compound annual growth rate vs. US average

8. But we’re no longer above average • State real per capita GDP growth • Academic R&D spending • Employment rate • Employment growth • Personal income growth

9. Where would get the money? A penny on the dollar roughly equals $1 billion per year

10. Current tax situation Effective tax rate (% of income) 12.3% 12.4% 3-point gap between top & middle earners 10% 9.3% 5% Household Income $65,000 $100,000 $460,000 +

11. Real Prosperity Proposal Impact of a penny on the dollar increase more or less or less more or less Most households would pay half a penny or less 10% 5% Household Income $65,000 $100,000 $460,000 +

12. Prosperity grows from education Economists, educators and business leaders agree: A well-educated population has been one of Minnesota’s chief economic advantages.

13. Strategic education goal for Minnesota Challenge: If Minnesota had $1billion to invest in education, how and where would we in order to: Increasing by 50% the rate of students who finish post-secondary education by 2020, including increasing the attainment rate of students of color and Native Americans accordingly.

14. Minnesota’s education challenge By 2020, a smaller proportion of Minnesotans will have a post-secondary education BS or more AA degree HS or less 2006 2020

15. Evidence-based and consensus-driven process Consensus on evidence

16. Statewide Steering Committee Nicola Alexander, Professor, College of Education, University of Minnesota Linda Baer, Sr. Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, MNSCU Darlyne Bailey, Dean, College of Education, University of Minnesota Meria Carstarphen, Superintendent, St. Paul Public Schools Mary Cecconi, Executive Director, Parents United for Public Schools Maureen Cisneros, Student/Regent, University of Minnesota Jennifer Godinez, Director, Minnesota College Access Network Lynn Haglin, Vice President/KIDS PLUS Director, Northland Foundation Jerry Halverson, Sr. Faculty, Capella University Vernae Hasbargen, Sr. Legislative Analyst, MN Rural Education Association Robert Johnson, Professor, State Cloud State University Steve Kelley, Senior Fellow, Humphrey Institute

17. Statewide Steering Committee Laura LaCroix-Dalluhn, Executive Director, Youth Community Connections Rene Lara, Legislative Action Specialist, Education Minnesota Jim Meffert-Nelson, Chair, Children’s Platform Coalition Todd Otis, President, Ready 4 K Eugene Piccolo, Executive Director, MN Association of Charter Schools Peter Sadowski, Antares Pharma, Inc. Don Schuld, Assistant Superintendent, Stillwater Area Schools Jim Southwick, Medtronic Lee Ann Stephens, Teacher, Education Minnesota teacher of the years Judy Temple, Professor, Humphrey Institute, University of Minnesota Neal Thao, Faculty of Social Work, Metro State University Greg Vandal, Superintendent, Sauk Rapids-Rice School District Pam Willard, Director, Golden Heart Child Care Center

18. Intervention selection process Body of Research Evidence of effectiveness Benefit/cost Best bang for the buck

19. Projected Change in Working Age Population (Age 25-64) by Race/Ethnicity, 2000-2030 7% 152% 270% 169% 341% 75% Source: Minnesota State Demographic Center

20. Making the Case

21. How to best invest? Invest in the whole student from birth to college

22. Smart Investments in MN Students:Where Should We Invest Our Next Dollar? Goal: Increase by 50% the number of students who finish post-secondary education Start Post-Sec Finish 8th K Students who enter post-secondary school finish with a degree Students who are qualified to enroll in post-secondary schools begin within 3 years of H.S. graduation All students pass Algebra I by the end of 8th grade Every child enters school ready to learn All high schoolers graduate prepared for post-secondary school through rigorous courses (Algebra II, Chemistry/ Physics) All 3rd graders read at or above grade level Pre-K 13-16 3rd Prep -Where are we currently in Minnesota on each of these outcomes? -What are effective interventions that achieve these outcomes, and at what cost? -Which investments get the greatest return for the dollar?

23. What works? Research addressed what works from cradle to college

24. Percent of Students “Not on Track”

25. Recommended investments Post-secondary Enrollment & Completion Graduate/ transition 4-12 K-3 Ability to earn an income that supports basic needs Pre-K

26. Post-secondary Enrollment & Completion Graduate/ transition 4-12 K-3 Ready for K: Birth to 5 care correlates w/ learning readiness Birth to 3- home visits/mentors Birth to 4 - quality childcare 4 yr old - quality preschool

27. Post-secondary Enrollment & Completion Graduate/ transition 4-12 K-3:Readiness correlates with proficiency in basic skills Pre-K • K-3 Comprehensive program: • Class size reduction • Intensive instruction • Family supports/social skills

28. Post-secondary Enrollment & Completion Graduate/ transition 4-12: Proficiency at grade-level correlates w/ HS success K-3 • 4th – 12th comprehensive program: • Rigorous coursework • Small Learning Communities, advocacy, • curriculum alignment • Dropout/pregnancy prevention, • counseling, social supports Pre-K

29. Graduate From HS/ Transition to Higher ed Post-secondary Enrollment & Completion 4-12 K-3 • Financial assistance • Access/counseling Pre-K

30. Increase by 50% the number of students who finish a post-secondary degree by 2020 Academic, financial & social support Post-Secondary Enrollment & Completion Graduate Grade-level proficiency 4-12 K-3 Quality curriculum & instruction Pre-K Early care

31. Where to invest? Invest in what delivers best results for the money — for the student

32. Sample intervention: Early care • Nurse Home Visiting • Registered nurses visit homes of at-risk, first-time mothers of children prenatal to age 2. Effects include: • improved prenatal health • fewer subsequent pregnancies • increased intervals between births • fewer childhood injuries • improved school readiness • increased maternal employment $35 million for 60,000 families at 185% of poverty Benefit/Cost: $6 : $1

33. Sample intervention: Pre-K–3 • Chicago Child-Parent Centers • Reading & math instruction, field trips. Parents volunteer in classroom, get social services, job & parenting skills training.Effects include: • lower rates of depression • less violent crime & incarceration • less public assistance • more likely to attend 4 year college • more likely employed full-time $285 million for 36,000 Pre-K to 3rd graders below proficiency Benefit/Cost: $10 : $1

34. Sample intervention: Grades 5-8 • Achievement for Latinos Through Academic Success • Counselors assigned to Latino students and their families monitor attendance, behavior and achievement; train in problem-solving; offer feedback, remediation and advocacy.Effects include: • 5% higher graduation rate $4000 per student for Latinos below proficiency levels Benefit/Cost: $2.90 : $1

35. Sample intervention: 9 -12 • Talent Development High School • Small leaning community plus comprehensive programs with rigorous coursework, teacher professional development, mentoring relationships & parent and community strategies. Effects include: • improved progression from 9th to 10th grade (+8 pts) • increased graduation rates (+16 pts) $56 million for 160,000 9-12 graders below proficient in both math & reading Benefit/Cost: $6.56 : $1

36. Sample intervention: Post-HS • Admission Possible • Identifies promising low-income students and helps with ACT test preparation, college search, application and financial aid processes, plus other guidance and support. Effects include: • 18% average ACT improvement • 99% college acceptance rate • 80% graduate or are still in school $3000 per student — two-year program for juniors & seniors Benefit/Cost: $5 : $1

37. How investments follow the student

38. What we can do now Uphold a child-focused, life-cycle view that cuts across traditional system boundaries Use data on outcomes to choose interventions for specific populations Talk about what works in terms of education outcomes and economic benefits Advocate for funding innovation, not just restoring cuts to current system

39. Contact us: info@growthandjustice.org Angie Eilers, Research & Policy Angie@growthandjustice.org