Each member of the ADP Network has committed to a common policy agenda, but there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Highlights of this state's action plan are below. Click here to download a PDF of the complete plan.

Policies and Action Steps

1. Align high school standards and assessments with the knowledge and skills required for success after high school.
   • Through P–16 Partnership, establish a working group to identify the college readiness knowledge and skills required for postsecondary entrance.
   • Convene a Governor's Roundtable on science, technology, engineering and math for business, education and civic leaders to assess statewide needs for knowledge and skills in math and science.
   • Establish digital learning standards at the middle and high school levels to improve students' high school math and science performance.
2. Require all high school graduates to take challenging courses that actually prepare them for life after high school.
   • Through P–16 Partnership, establish a working group to develop a document that aligns Minnesota state graduation requirements (i.e., course credit requirements) with postsecondary readiness expectations.
   • Provide ongoing training and support to teachers in the science, technology, engineering and math disciplines so that they align instruction and classroom assessments to state standards.
   • Implement Governor's Get Ready, Get Credit initiative to increase participation in more rigorous courses (Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate) and to expand students' ability to earn college credits by taking College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams in 34 subject areas at state expense.
   • Conduct a statewide communications campaign targeted to high school students and their parents to promote K–14 education as the minimum level of education expected for all students, the importance of high school achievement, the value of rigorous courses including math and science, and the need for early career and postsecondary planning.
3. Streamline the assessment system so that the tests students take in high school also can serve as readiness tests for college and work.
   • Through P–16 Partnership, establish a working group to review the state math assessment system and its alignment with postsecondary entrance requirements and assess viability of using a cut-off score to demonstrate proficiency and indicate college readiness.
   • Redesign state testing program tp support the governor's proposed Get Ready, Get Credit (GRGC) initiative.
   • Increase the rigor of high school graduation testing requirements by developing and deploying a new, online computerized state science assessment by 2008.
4. Hold high schools accountable for graduating students who are ready for college or careers, and hold postsecondary institutions accountable for students' success once enrolled.
   • Appoint an Education Council to establish and monitor 10-year performance improvement goals.
   • Through P–16 Partnership, establish a working group to identify factors influencing Minnesota's current remediation rate and recommend actions to more effectively transition students to postsecondary education.
   • Through P–16 Partnership, establish a working group to review current college access programs, especially those that support minority and low-income students, and recommend new or expanded initiatives to increase successful entry into postsecondary education.
   • Build public awareness and support by promoting use of the Minnesota Department of Education report cards, the governor's annual report on progress toward the state's 10-year goals for improvement in student achievement and tools such as the SchoolMatters.com Web site to understand and monitor school performance.

ADP Network Team
Members of the Minnesota ADP Action Team will be drawn from:

Governor's office
Minnesota Department of Education
K–12 and postsecondary education
Business and other organization