Minnesota’s public education system consistently underserves Black and African American students.
Share of students showing proficiency on Minnesota state tests
Results include both MCA and MTAS assessments. Due to COVID-19, no 2020 results are available. Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis calculations using Minnesota Department of Education 2016–2021 files.
Share of students showing college readiness on college entrance exam benchmarks
Source: ACT Graduating Class Database.
Share of students graduating high school
Source: Minnesota Department of Education 2016–2021 files.
Share of students enrolled in any post-high school program
Data for graduating classes that do not yet reflect a 16-month post-high school enrollment period are considered preliminary. Source: Minnesota Department of Education’s Minnesota Report Card (current, May 2022).
1 in 9 students in Minnesota’s public schools identifies as Black or African American.
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis calculations using Minnesota Department of Education 2016–2022 files.
Within 30 years, the Black and African American community in Minnesota will be over 850,000 strong.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, State Population by Characteristics 2010–2019 (historical estimates); Minnesota State Demographic Center (projections).
Our current education system limits opportunity for Black and African American students and holds back our workforce and economy.
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis calculations using U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Series, 2019 file.
