LearnmoreMN Blog

Your take: what organizations can do

We asked a number of people to take a short survey about the Vanishing Graduates show and  received some interesting responses to this question: Given the challenges that the program raises, what are some actions that organizations could take?

Here are some of the actions you suggested:

• Federal grants and loans availablity. It's scary: how will government continue? The clients they serve will only be increasing, special interest groups always want increased services, (contrary to popular belief) many government jobs ARE complex and require a college degree and there will be fewer workers demographically, and far fewer educationally qualified...we will either have to curtail services, rely on technology to be a substitute for people, and/or tap a qualified people supply from outside the U.S.
• We need to get out in the high schools and middle schools and entice/tout/advertise about how there's a place waiting for them in our workforce, and take steps to ready themselves.
• Entering into partnerships with government, business and educators to provide additional resources for schools and support for families.
• REQUIRED college preparatory curriculum, no matter how long it takes a student, when they moved to this country, or what their native language is. We fail our students every time that we do not require them to achieve at the minimum level expected by college admissions offices. MUCH GREATER funding for guidance counselors. Our counselors work too hard, and it is embarrassing that this great progressive state is not taking better care of its students as they prepare for college. Statewide PR campaign to raise awareness. Greater support of college access programs, with long-term funding opportunities, NOT short-term grants.
• Businesses who are affected by these trends on the post-college end of the spectrum would help make the crisis more real for most people. Many folks tune out the non-profit, social service, educational sector's advocacy because we're always pushing for one need or another. I'm sure resources are limited, but it would be helpful to combine this with a major PR push throughout the state — billboards, mailings, commericals, etc. This is a defining issue of our time, and nobody really knows about it.

If you would like to share your opinions about the program, take the survey.

But what can I do?

Posted by moderator

Getting more young people on the path to college is good for them and for our state. "But what can I do," you ask? Just about everyone can do something. Here are some examples from the inspirations section of the LearnmoreMN Web site of what individuals, companies and communities are doing.

A group of Deloitte employees take out time from their corporate days to work with Wellstone International High School students as a part of the Achieve! Career and College Initiative. At 17 to 21 years old and with limited English language skills, the Wellstone students welcome the chance to learn about colleges, interviewing, resume writing, and job searching from Deloitte’s experienced professionals. A Deloitte policy of allocating 40 hours a year to volunteer projects bolsters their efforts. Read this story

The City of St. Paul’s Circulator bus provides a simple, but highly effective solution to the problem of connecting children to learning opportunities throughout the neighborhood. Circulator buses provide free rides for young people to libraries, recreation centers, community centers and non-profits. The buses are part of the city's Second Shift initiative. Read this story

Bengo Mrema has volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) since 2001. It took him a while to earn the trust of his little brother, but his positive, consistent presence made a difference. Mrema found creative ways to include academics in their meetings and introduced ideas about college and other post-secondary education options. Mrema says his unconditional commitment has paid off. Read the story

What do you do, or what can you imagine doing? We welcome your stories and ideas.