Kids do better in class when schools, families, and communities work together to support learning.  But low-income and parents of color face barriers that prevent them from getting involved at their children's school. 

Read Working Together and find out how The Minnesota Dream Fund supported efforts by families to organize themselves to build parent and community engagement in schools.

Facts about education in Minnesota

• Minnesota has a 45% disparity in the graduation rates between white and black students, the worst such gap in the country.
  

• Minnesota has the 2nd largest gap in the nation between African-American and white students on the 4th grade reading school. 90% of African-American 4th grade students in Minnesota test below grade level on reading.
  
  
• If the drop-out rate were cut in half, the metro would see a $100 billion boost in economic activity when these young people move into middle age.
  
  
• Evidence shows that one of the most effective ways to reduce the drop-out rate is to begin working with children and their families during the prekindergarten years.
  
  
• In 2010, about 7 out of 10 students in 8th grade in Minneapolis Public Schools said most of their teachers teach in ways that makes them want to learn, up from about 6 out of 10 the year before.
   

For the fact sources please email us or call (612) 672-3853. For more facts about our community visit MN Compass or Wilder Foundation.

Please note that not all activities and issues featured are eligible for funding through our Community Grantmaking program. For more information visit our grant guidelines.