MMEP collaborates with MN Dept of Education

(MMEP © July 22, 2010)

 

MMEP has agreed to collaborate with the Minnesota Department of Education [MDE] to build statewide capacity to support effective, sustainable and coordinated dropout prevention and reentry programs in middle schools and high schools with dropout rates that exceed the state average.

 

The Minnesota Department of Education [MDE] is seeking funding for the Minnesota Dropout Prevention, Recovery and Graduation Initiative [DPRG] which will build upon initial successes and extends a solid foundation of work that has occurred during the School Dropout Prevention grant [referred to as SDP Phase I] funded by the U.S. Department of Education. During Phase I, a comprehensive dropout prevention model and tools for implementation at middle and high schools were developed.

 

MDE is poised to move forward to decrease dropout rates and decrease disparities between dropout rates of various student groups in Minnesota. Goals of the Initiative include successfully preparing all students to pursue postsecondary education and careers.

 

Key areas of collaboration between MDE and MMEP will include:

• Collaborating to provide community and culturally-specific training to schools and their community partners to decrease dropout rates and engage students in school and learning by continuing and advancing the work of the initial School Dropout Prevention grant
• Building and implementing a data system to identify students who are disengaging from school and provide support to foster their success in school
• Building and implementing effective programs to identify and encourage youth who have already dropped out of school to reenter school and complete secondary education
• Coordinating resources to support students’ progress toward graduation for easier access by schools, families and students
• Endorsing the State’s goal of graduation for all by embedding this goal into any child or youth-focused programs or initiatives

 

An MMEP staffer will be an active member of the multi-agency DPRG Initiative Advisory Team that will meet quarterly during the year. Additional partners in this initiative include the Minnesota Departments of Human Services, Public Safety, Corrections, Health, and Employment and Economic Development, along with other critical agencies and community organizations.