The Minnesota Department of Education is working to support academic achievement for all children, close the achievement gap and increase graduation rates. In Minnesota, less than 80% of students graduate with a high school diploma. This is unacceptable and it masks even more critical graduation rates for various student groups: including students with disabilities, students living in poverty, students of color and English language learners. The consequences of systemic failure to ensure graduation for all of our youth are significant for society and the youth who leave school early. 

The bottom line in dropout prevention is to utilize strategies that engage students in school and in learning.  The Minnesota Department of Education developed a dropout prevention model for implementation in middle and high schools as part of the Dropout Prevention Retention and Graduation Initiative (2005-2009). The model was piloted in seven school districts with promising results and this website includes materials that were developed and are currently available for use.

In addition, MDE is focused on addressing the following priorities to raise graduation rates.

• Closing the Gap: Collaborating to effectively increase graduation rates and decrease dropout rates for all students.
• Data Driven Decision-Making: Using data to provide effective supports to students who are disengaging from school and learning. 
• Engagement, Recovery and Re-Engagement: Developing and implementing effective programs to keep youth in school, as well as identify and encourage youth who have already dropped out of school to reenter school and complete high school. 
• Individualized Student Planning for the Future: Providing effective and accessible programming and resources for schools, families and students to facilitate high school completion and postsecondary success. 
• Collaboration: Working Together: Embedding Minnesota’s goal of graduation for all and action steps into any child or youth-focused program or initiative.

Document Download:

• Partners Working Together Poster 
  
• Journey to Completion 
  A video documentary from The Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC)
• District Triangles Supporting Student Success 
  
• Dropout Prevention Strategies and Programming 
  District and school resource on how to implement dropout prevention practices
• Costs and Consequences of Dropping Out of School 
  
• District Feedback: Dropout Prevention Initiative 
  Summary of feedback received from districts as part of the Dropout Prevention Initiative
• Dropout Prevention Steering Committee Report 
  

Delinquent/Neglected Students

The three-part goal of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act’s (ESEA) Title I, Part D, Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk, is to:

•  Improve educational services for children and youth who are neglected or delinquent so that they have the opportunity to meet challenging state academic content and achievement standards.
•  Provide neglected or delinquent children and youth with services so that they can successfully transition from institutionalization to further schooling or employment.
•  Prevent youth from dropping out of school and provide youth who have dropped out and youth returning from correctional facilities with a support system to ensure their continued education.

Links at right provide additional program information. Contact Roberto Reyes at 651-582-8302 or Roberto.Reyes@state.mn.us for information on Homeless McKinney-Vento, Neglected and Delinquent programs.

 

Homeless Students

Children and youth who experience homelessness have the right to receive a free, appropriate public education ensured by the The McKinney-Vento Act. The law requires schools to remove barriers to enrollment, attendance and success for homeless students.

The McKinney-Vento Act sets high priority on students receiving education and services at his/her school of origin (the school a student attended when first homeless).  This provision provides students some stability when other factors are in flux.

Document Download:

• 2010-2011 McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Child Count 
  This document provides information on the number of homeless children enrolled in programs.
• Homeless Liaisons - Districts and Charter Schools 
  This is the list of homeless liaison for districts and charter schools.
• State Homeless Student Enrollment Dispute Form 
  This document can be faxed or e-mailed to the Minnesota Department of Education to initiate the homeless student enrollment dispute resolution process.
• Disputes Process (ESEA) 
  This document explains the state-level dispute resolution process that can be initiated after a district enrollment dispute resolution process has been carried out.
• McKinney Vento Capsule 
  This is a one page summary of requirements for providing education to children and youth who are homeless.

Migrant Students

Migrant Education Program (MEP) is a national program that provides educational and support services to eligible migrant children between the ages of 3-21 each year. These services help children of migrant farmworkers overcome the disadvantages they face, including the disruption of their education.

The goal of the program is to assist all migrant students in meeting the challenging academic standards and achieving graduation with an education that prepares them for responsible citizenship, further learning and productive employment.

Document Download:

• Categorical Eligibility for Migrant Children 
  USDA policy on school meal categorical eligibility for migrant children and information about coordination between school food service and the Migrant Education Program at the local level.