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ST. PAUL, Minn., March 19, 2015 – Minnesota students are coming to school with more complex needs than ever before. Leaders of Education Minnesota and Duluth Public Schools will present solutions Friday at a news conference at Lincoln Park Middle School in Duluth.

One of Education Minnesota’s top priorities this legislative session is to create more full-service community schools to meet those needs. This concept puts social, medical, and supplemental academic services and enrichment activities where they are most accessible – on the school campus.

Education Minnesota President Denise Specht said creating more full-service community schools will address the growing inequalities in our society and continue closing the gap in academic outcomes between students of color and their white peers.

“The obstacles facing students in poverty are complex and go beyond the classroom,” Specht said. “It's time for a real solution that meets all the needs our students bring to their schools every day.”

Myers-Wilkins Community School in Duluth started the transition into a full-service community school back in 1998. Now, the school collaborative and its dozens of partners bring in community instructors, college-age tutors, summer theater camp staff, volunteers and a variety of other leaders who provide extracurricular academic and cultural experiences.

Myers-Wilkins now has one of the highest rates of parent and student satisfaction in the district. Duluth Public Schools is looking for ways to expand the full-service community school framework to the rest of the schools in the western part of the city.

“What’s happening in Duluth is a great example of a community coming together and transforming its school to reflect the needs of their children, families and neighbors,” said Duluth school board member Rosie Loeffler-Kemp. “And when we have strong schools, we have strong communities.”

What: Education Minnesota President Denise Specht will join Duluth school district leaders, principals, educators, parents, students and community activists to discuss efforts to expand full-service community schools across the state.

When: 3:30 p.m. Friday, March 20

Where: Lincoln Park Middle School, 3215 W. Third St., Duluth

About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota represents 70,000 professionals working together for excellence in education for all students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and education support professionals in Minnesota’s public school districts, faculty members at Minnesota’s community and technical colleges and University of Minnesota campuses in Duluth and Crookston, retired educators and student teachers. Education Minnesota is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.