Achievement Gap Committee

Did you know that a Committee on the Achievement Gap existed?! I sure didn't, but am happy that it does! If you have time, check out this 2010 address from the retiring Superintendent on the Achievement Gap.

Striving to Close the Gap Event

The University of Minnesota School of Public Health and the African American Leadership Forum are jointly sponsoring an event Strive and "discussing the possibility and to consider launching a similar effort to connect the dots across our metropolitan area's diverse efforts to raise student achievement overall and to close gaps between student groups." The event will be Monday, Feb. 7, 10-11:30 a.m. at Coffman Memorial Union Theater at the University of Minnesota. To learn more about Strive and this event, go to

Upcoming Training: DISORDERED {thy name is teenager}

Mark your calendars for Friday March 11th, because MN YIPA and the Mentoring Partnership of MN will be presenting a phenomenal afternoon (1:00-3:30pm) training on issues relating to, and impacting teenagers in America today. Disordered is a play that is written and performed by teens working with the Blank Slate Theatre. It is a mixture of spoken word with acting out monologues of various different characters who are coping with some of the common struggles faced by American teens. The cast will talk about various disorders such as depression, OCD, Anxiety, eating disorders, ODD and ADHD, as they pertain to their daily lives. We will have the honor of watching the play LIVE, and will follow it up with a brief Q&A session and discussion. This production aims to bring a perspective on teenagers that the media often ignores: that teens, like adults, suffer with mental disorders.

The training will be held at Children's Home Society & Family Services (1605 Eustis Street, St. Paul, MN) and will cost Promise Fellows $10! Feel free to invite your friends and coworkers to register for this uniquely awesome event, but let them know the fee for them may be different!

Programs for PreK-12 Students and Educators

If you're still looking for ways to actively engage your youth cohort in an activity outside your school, check out some of these AWESOME opportunities offered by the University of Minnesota!

100 Strong Who Care

Minneapolis Public Schools, in partnership with the Hennepin County Medical Center, Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce, National Society of Hispanic MBAs, Minnesota Twins and KBEM-FM Jazz 88, will bring 100 business professionals to Loring Community School for “100 Strong Who Care: Building Bridges for the Next Generation.”

This event is designed to connect students with community members who want to impact their lives. The event will introduce students to business professionals in marketing, science, law, human resources, computer technology and many more professions.

How Can you Help:

For further information or to sign up, please contact Adebisi A. Wilson, MPS Office of Equity & Diversity @ 612.668.0018 or Adebisi.Wilson@mpls.k12.mn.us. Click here for the official facebook event.

Ready By 21 Webinar

The SEARCH Institute is hosting a FREE webinar on Thursday January 27th! The Ready by 21 National Partnership (“Rb21”) provides tools, resources, guidance, and national influence to tackle major obstacles that limit the success of community initiatives, and equips community leaders to lay the groundwork for changing the conditions that change lives. It offers many advantages:

• Tools and guidance for big-picture planning
• Cutting-edge resources for developing indicators and gathering data
• Tools, surveys, coaching, and other development opportunities
• National advocacy to engage local affiliates and other stakeholders

Click here and look at the right hand side of your screen for details on how to register!

American Indian Family Scholarship Night

If you're working with American Indian youth who are interested in going to college, check out this upcoming event!

American Indian Family Scholarship Information Night

Hosted by Minnesota College Access Network, an initiative of MMEP

Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011

South High School

5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Dinner is provided. No RSVP is necessary, but is greatly appreciated.

This event is geared toward helping American Indian students and their families understand the financial aid and college processes. The event includes a college fair, general session and breakout sessions related to preparing for and financing college. Useful information from college admission and financial aid people, current college students and parents. Families with children of all ages welcome and the event is free of charge.

Representatives from the following colleges and universities will be present at the College Fair:

Augsburg College

College of St. Benedict’s and St. John’s University

Concordia University, Saint Paul

Hennepin Technical College

Minneapolis Community & Technical College

St. Cloud State University

University of Minnesota, Morris

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

University of Wisconsin-Stout

Winona State University

Groups of 10 or more, please contact Amanda Ziebell-Finley, 651-645-7400 x 204