Summary:

We would implement a process in St. Paul’s schools and child care centers that would lead to the elimination of the achievement gap and low HS graduation rates among minority, American Indian and poor students. This public/private/nonprofit educational-economic process would begin with the engagement of communities, leaders, teachers and students to help St. Paul’s schools become more effective and productive in providing services to the city and its children. The recognition of each child’s potential, respect for differences, prizing of diverse cultures and foreign languages, and economic principles for adding value are the process’ foundational concepts. The process will result in cultural shifts in St. Paul’s schools, each of which is as unique as each child is unique. The State Councils, Minnesota Humanities Center Absent Narratives, the Finnish education system, The Organization for Economic Development (OECD) PISA studies, and Cultural-Complementarity instruction will be featured, along with inputs from participants and outside expert resources. Measurements of success can be performance in standardized tests already in use, graduation rates and other metrics. The process would begin at a few schools; then, it would leverage that experience to deliver the process more effectively and productively to other schools.