Welcome to Superintendent’s Spotlight – a periodic and brief e-newsletter from Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) Superintendent Bill Green highlighting news and information about our schools and our students.

MPS achievement up in reading and math
Small gains not enough; we must focus intensely on the classroom.

Minneapolis Public Schools’ results on the statewide 2009 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA)-II showed slight gains, with overall reading and math results increasing by two percentage points, from:

• 49% to 51% of students proficient in reading, and;
• 41% to 43% of students proficient in math.

I would first like to congratulate the schools that showed the biggest gains. In reading, Whittier, Southwest, Washburn, Andersen and Windom made significant gains. In math, Bryn Mawr, Whittier, Kenny, Southwest and Sanford showed large increases. Their staffs, students and families deserve to be recognized for their hard work.

Despite our collective efforts, as a school district we made only incremental progress and cannot be satisfied with the results.

Our biggest concern remains the achievement gap. Students of color continue to lag significantly behind white students.

I am particularly concerned that our academic efforts continue to fall short for African American students who make up almost 40 percent of our enrollment. English-speaking African American students have remained at 33% proficient in reading for the past three years, and English-speaking African American students increased just one percentage point in math, from 22% to 23% proficient. Obviously, we must make system-wide changes to close the achievement gap.

Other results by grade level include:

• Third grade reading increased five percentage points to 58% proficient, nearly erasing last year’s drop. Small increases were also seen in grades four and five. Elementary math saw similar small increases; grade three had the largest increase – three percentage points – with 60% proficient.
• Middle school results were mixed, with reading proficiency virtually flat and math proficiency up in grades seven and eight but down in grade six.
• High school reading at 10th grade was up by six percentage points to 54% proficient, and 11th grade math was up four points to 26% proficient.

To see significant gains in achievement across our school district, we must be clear about the drivers for success: more time learning, effective teaching, strong school leadership and high expectations for all students.

Instead of tinkering around the edges, we need to get serious about systemic changes, including:

• Lengthening the school day and year, and increasing opportunities for effective extended day programs.
• Changing staffing policies and practices so that we are putting the best teachers in the classroom and doing everything we can to keep strong instructional teams together.

While we are taking a “no excuses” approach to raise achievement, we also need parents, students and our community partners to collectively value education. We can’t tackle this mission alone. It extends beyond the walls of our schools.

Thankfully, we live in a community where education is deeply valued and supported. Because Minneapolis residents overwhelmingly approved our Strong Schools, Strong City referendum in November 2008, MPS will receive $60 million annually for education essentials. Referendum investments will support an increased focus on reading, math and science. I am confident that the additional investments will help drive future achievement for all students.

Thank you for your continued support of Minneapolis Public Schools.

Additional information about the Minneapolis Public Schools can be found athttp://www.mpls.k12.mn.us There are great things happening every day at MPS!
Please contact me any time with questions or feedback about our schools.
Bill Green, Minneapolis Public Schools Superintendent
communications.department@mpls.k12.mn.us, 612.668.0230

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