~MPS academic strategic plan supports families tocomplete applications for college admission and financial aid~

MINNEAPOLIS –U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on January 20 visited South High School to speak with the senior class and their parents about college affordability and the new simplified Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Al Franken and Mayor R.T. Rybak also addressed students.

“What impressed me the most during the visit was the leadership of our students, who raised intelligent, thoughtful and authentic questions during their conversation with Secretary Duncan,” said Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson. “These seniors showed that they were sharp, mature and prepared. They showed that they had successfully completed 13 years of experience as skilled students. They showed that they were ready for college and the workforce.”

Graduating all students is a challenge that leaders and educators work to achieve each day in urban school districts. Last school year, 78 percent (1,466) of MPS students graduated and 85 percent of them reported going on to a two- or four-year college.

The MPS academic strategic plan is organized around nine research-based goals, referred to as Steps to Student Success. One of these goals is that students will demonstrate college and career readiness by grade 12. Among other key strategies is that MPS will improve support for students and families to complete applications for college admission and financial aid.

When college is affordable, the chances of completion increase. However, only half of MPS graduates (just over 700) completed the FAFSA last year. The school district’s goal is to have 68 percent of students completing the FAFSA over the next four years.

MPS is initiating a new pilot that will allow school staff to connect directly with students who have indicated their desire to go to college, but do not have a financial plan to do so. The federal government’s work to simplify the FAFSA process will help support the school district in these efforts. MPS will hold a special event called FAFSA February on February 12, at which families can file their taxes and complete the FAFSA at Minneapolis Community and Technical College.

Minneapolis Public Schools partners with AchieveMpls to provide college and career support to high school students. The school district’s seven comprehensive high schools and one alternative school each have an AchieveMpls College and Career Center that ensures that all students have a plan to move from high school to higher education and work.

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MPS