Drop Out Rates in Minnesota

Principles of Urban Education (EDU 600)Augusto Vargas

Paul MenardSamsam

Metropolitan State University9-9-2013

MN Statewide Dropout Rate is at 5.1%

Source: MN Department of Education

However, in the Twin Cities, the dropout rate is 63% higher

Source: MN Department of Education

Key Findings Regarding Dropout Rates in the Twin Cities

• The Minneapolis Public School district’s dropout rate was 9% higher than the dropout rate in St. Paul Public Schools in the 2012-2013 school year.

• By gender, the average of dropout rate for male students is 46% higher than female students in the Twin Cities.

• The ethnic group with the highest dropout rate in the Twin Cities is American Indian/Alaskan Native (21%), followed by Hispanics (17%), African-Americans (10%), and Asian/Pacific Islanders (6%).

Comparison by ethnicity between MPS and SPPS

Source: MN Department of Education

Continuation of the comparison by ethnic groups

Source: MN Department of Education

Dropout Rates in the Twin Cities by Ethnicity

• The ethnic group with the lowest dropout rate in the Twin Cities is White Americans, with an average of 3%.

• The dropout rate for American Indian students is nearly 7 times higher than the dropout rate for White Americans.

• The dropout rate for Hispanic students is 5.5 times higher than the dropout rate for White Americans.

• The dropout rate for African American students is 3 times higher than the dropout rate for White Americans.

• The dropout rate for Asian/Pacific Islander students is nearly 2 times higher than the dropout rate for White Americans.

Continuation of comparison including the English Learners group

Source: MN Department of Education

Special education & free/reduced priced lunch groups

Source: MN Department of Education

The Male Dropout Rate is, on Average, 46% Higher than the Female Dropout Rate for Students in the Twin Cities

Source: MN Department of Education

Key Findings Continued• The average dropout rate for English Language Learners in MPS and

SPPS combined is 10%, but the dropout rate for ELL students in MPS is 70% higher than English Language Learners in SPPS.

• The average dropout rate for Special Education students in MPS and SPPS combined is 12%, but the dropout rate for MPS students is 28% higher than SPPS students.

• The average dropout rate for Students receiving Free/Reduced price lunch in MPS and SPPS combined is 10%, but the dropout rate for MPS students receiving Free/Reduced price lunch is 25% higher than SPPS students receiving Free/Reduced price lunch .