Monthly Archives: May 2014

State-Funded Pre-K Enrolled Declines While Funding Increases In 2013

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A report published by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) indicates that state funded pre-K funding rose by $36 per child in the 2012-2013 school year but that enrollment decreased by 9,200 students in the same time period.  The report, which tracks national trends in pre-K enrollment, quality, and spending, also indicates that number of states meeting NIEER quality benchmarks remained flat to 2012.  

Source: http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/05/13/32preschool.h33.html

Take Action: Women’s Economic Security Act

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The Women’s Economic Security Act, a package of nine bills aimed to provide better workplace protection for women, is in the Minnesota Senate after passing through the Minnesota House earlier this week.

The bill would double unpaid maternity leave, provide time off for the care of an ill grandchild and would require that businesses certify they pay similar salaries to men and women for the same job.

Take Action: http://www.mnwesa.org/take-action/

 

Nat’l High School Graduation Rate Hits New High

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A report released by Civic Enterprise, the Everyone Graduates Center, America’s Promise Alliance and the Alliance for Excellent Education indicated that, for the first time in history, the U.S. graduation rate for public high school students rose above 80% in an effort to meet a goal of 90% by 2020.  The report also cited a 15% increase in graduation rates for Hispanic students and a 9% increase in graduation rates for African American students.

In order to achieve the goal of 90% by 2020, the report highlighted five critical areas that must be addressed which include closing the opportunity gap for low-income students and male students of color in key states.

Source: http://gradnation.org/sites/default/files/17548_BGN_Report_FinalFULL_5.2.14.pdf