Assuring Lifelong Learning for Work and Life

Minnesotans value education. As Governor Ventura and members of his cabinet and administration travel the state, they hear from employees and employers about the state's future workforce need, and its connection to education. Minnesotans also express their love for learning, and the enrichment and satisfaction it brings to their lives.

The Ventura administration has selected some indicator measurements to help the discussion, planning and action needed to keep Minnesota's education institutions positioned for the future. These indicators represent educational opportunities outside the K-12 education system, and are selected with attention to the changing demographics of our state's population and economy.

We will work with the Adult Basic Education program at the Department of Children, Family and Learning, and the state's public institutions of higher education - the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State College and University (MnSCU) system - to refine these indicators, and set targets for future performance.

See Minnesota's higher education report card. Compare Minnesota to the Nation and other states on higher education and training beyond high school. "Measuring Up 2002", produced by a national nonpartisan organization, evaluates states in five categories of performance: preparation, participation, affordability, completion and benefits.

Enrollment in postsecondary education or training.

General Educational Development (GED) or adult high school diplomas awarded.

Adults enrolled in English language classes

First generation students admitted to the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State College and University (MnSCU) institutions. (Indicator under construction)

Percentage of students of color enrolled in the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State College and University (MnSCU) systems.

Six-year graduation rates for students at public four-year post-secondary institutions, by race.

Percentage of Minnesota State College and University (MnSCU) students at two-year institutions who complete a program or transfer to a four-year institution within three years.

Businesses and employees enrolled in the Minnesota State College and University (MnSCU) system's customized training programs.

Enrollment in postsecondary education or training.

Note: This indicator compares the total number of Minnesota residents enrolled in post-secondary education compared to the population age 18 to 64. Total enrollment includes undergraduate, graduate or professional students of any age enrolled part or full time in any higher education institution. This indicator will be affected by fluctuations in part-time enrollment and the demographic age structure of the population. We expect this indicator to peak in 2003, as the percentage of people age 18 to 23 peaks as a percentage of the wider population.

Research links a strong higher education system with reduced crime rates, lower social expenditures and higher voter turnout. By tracking Minnesotans pursuit of additional knowledge or skills for their work careers or personal interests, policy-makers will be better equipped to respond with programs, policies and resources for post-secondary education.

General Educational Development (GED) or adult high school diplomas awarded.

Note: Most jobs in Minnesota minimally require a high school level of education. Post secondary educational, vocational and technical training institutions also require this basic credential for admission. According to the 1990 U.S. census, over 500,000 Minnesota adults over age 20 (17 percent) haven't graduated from high school. They may have dropped out of school, or they came from countries where high school attainment was not the norm. However, being able to read, write, speak and compute at the high school level is a basic survival skill.

Minnesota provides free Adult Basic Education (ABE) services to individuals who lack high school competency or who need to learn English. Over 75,000 Minnesota adults participate annually in programs offered through public schools and nonprofit organizations. The broad purpose of ABE is to provide opportunities for Minnesota adults to acquire basic education skills. We expect to see a significant "spike" in academic year 2002 because of a rush of students trying to complete the program before a new updated set of GED tests goes into effect in 2003.

For more information about the GED or adult high school diplomas, contact the Adult Basic Education Office of the Minnesota Department of Children, Families & Learning at 651-582-8437.

Adults enrolled in English language classes

Note: This indicator measures the number of Minnesotans over age 16 who are not enrolled in high school or college, but are taking classes to learn English.

Most jobs in Minnesota minimally require a high school level of education. Post secondary educational, vocational and technical training institutions also require this basic credential for admission. According to the 1990 U.S. census, over 500,000 Minnesota adults over age 20 (17 percent) haven't graduated from high school. They may have dropped out of school, or they came from countries where high school attainment was not the norm. However, being able to read, write, speak and compute at the high school level is a basic survival skill. A dynamic economy has helped attract thousands of new immigrants to Minnesota - over 250,000 during the past decade. Learning English is often their first priority.

For more information about English language programs, contact the Adult Basic Education Office of the Minnesota Department of Children, Families & Learning at 651- 582-8424.

First generation students admitted to the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State College and University (MnSCU) institutions. (Indicator under construction)

Note: Students who are the first in their immediate family to go to college are traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education. They also face the biggest challenges in continuing and completing a higher education. Demographic projections strongly suggest that Minnesota's population will become more diverse in the coming years. Focusing resources, programs and a public commitment to recruiting and retaining these prospective students will help ensure that more Minnesotans attain the personal rewards of a higher education.

Data on this indicator is limited for the University of Minnesota or the MnSCU system, but the question will be asked of all incoming students beginning in fall 2002. When neither of a student's parents has more than a high school degree, they are defined as "first generation." Finding and recruiting such students will be on ongoing challenge for higher education.

Percentage of students of color enrolled in the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State College and University (MnSCU) systems.

Student of color enrollment:

Fall of 2001 -- 13.4% of U of M enrollment.

Academic year 2000-2001 -- 10.4% of MnSCU enrollment.

Note: Students from families of color are traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education. They also face the biggest challenges in continuing and completing a higher education. Demographic projections strongly suggest that Minnesota's population will become more diverse in the coming years. Focusing resources, programs and a public commitment to recruiting and retaining these prospective students will help ensure that more Minnesotans attain the personal rewards of a higher education.

Percentages are based on students who report their racial-ethnic status. Disclosure of this information has been and continues to be voluntary.

The administration work with the University of Minnesota and MnSCU to improve coordination of data-gathering, and the development of expectations for this indicator.

Six-year graduation rates for students at public four-year post-secondary institutions, by race.

Note: This measures the percentage of students at University of Minnesota, and four-year Minnesota State College and University (MnSCU) institutions who graduate within six years. It does not account for students who transfer out of these institutions and graduate somewhere else within the six years.

Students who earn a postsecondary degree will likely see a significant increase in their future earnings, have more choices about where they work and live, and have the means necessary to live in communities with good housing and schools. Students who earn their degree within six years usually enjoy a more effective educational experience. An emphasis on timely completion rates will help more students actually complete a postsecondary education.

The administration will work with the University of Minnesota and MnSCU to develop performance expectations for this indicator.

Baseline information for these indicators comes from data reported by the University of Minnesota and MnSCU to the federal Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System.

Percentage of Minnesota State College and University (MnSCU) students at two-year institutions who complete a program or transfer to a four-year institution within three years.

Three-year transfer or graduation rate for students entering in fall 1997 - 54%.

Note: Students who earn a postsecondary degree will likely see a significant increase in their future earnings, have more choices about where they work and live, and have the means necessary to live in communities with good housing and schools. Students who earn their degree within this timeframe usually enjoy a more effective educational experience. An emphasis on timely completion rates will help more students actually complete a postsecondary education.

Nevertheless, many MnSCU students enroll in the technical or community colleges never intending to graduate or transfer, but only to gain a specific set of skills, career entry, advancement or simply for personal enrichment. Also, many older adults work full time and take only one course per semester, making it impossible to graduate within three years

The administration will work with MnSCU to develop performance expectations for this indicator.

Baseline information for these indicators comes from data reported by the University of Minnesota and MnSCU to the federal Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System.

Businesses and employees enrolled in the Minnesota State College and University (MnSCU) system's customized training programs.

For Academic Year 2000-2001:

Employers - 5,525

Total Course Registrations - 246,148

Note: MnSCU provides traditional classroom instruction to some 140,000 students each year. MnSCU institutions also provide specific vocational or career training to students through partnerships with employers in the state. These partnerships help us provide the updated skills necessary to respond to the rapid changes brought by technology and competition.

Up to now, data collection for customized training has only counted the number of individual course registrations, rather than counting how many individual Minnesotans took customized training during the year. We have begun collecting that data as of summer 2001.