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Minnesota Public Radio Presents "Is the American High School Obsolete?"—A Multi-Media Series
April 18, 2007
What: "Is the American High School Obsolete?" a radio, Web and interactive news series and Public Insight Forum live event hosted by Kerri Miller of Midmorning
When: Daily news features by MPR reporters April 23-27, followed by a Public Insight Forum on Friday, April 27, 7–8:30 p.m.
Where: The UBS Forum at Minnesota Public Radio, 480 Cedar Street, St. Paul
Tickets: FREE; reservations are requested. Visit www.mpr.org and click on Events.
Tune In: This series of reports will be broadcast on News & Information stations statewide, including KNOW 91.1 FM in the Twin Cities. The Public Insight Forum will be streamed online at www.mpr.org as well as taped for broadcast on Midmorning. Stories, discussions and podcasts will also be available on www.mpr.org.
Media: Print, broadcast and internet journalists are welcome to attend. Please contact Jennifer Haugh at (651) 290-1369 or jhaugh@mpr.org for accommodations, including a media mult box.
Minnesota Public Radio presents "Is the American High School Obsolete?" a Public Insight Forum with Kerri Miller, host of Midmorning and Talking Volumes on Friday, April 27, starting at 7 p.m. in The UBS Forum.
Critics such as Governor Tim Pawlenty and Bill Gates say the American high school is obsolete. The Governor says that "in too many cases, our high school students are bored, checked out, coasting, not even vaguely aware of their post-high school plans, if they have any, and they are just marking time." Gates, whose Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation now includes a major education reform component, says high school graduation rates in this country are too low to compete with Japan and other countries.
Minnesota Public Radio is taking a deeper look at the state of high school education in Minnesota and whether the time is ripe for change. In a new series of reports, reporters will take us into some of the state's big traditional schools and to alternative high schools to tackle some of the questions of modern education.
In this special Public Insight Forum, Midmorning host Kerri Miller will talk with employers and colleges who say high schools should stress math and science to prepare the students for the workforce and 21st century economy. The event will follow a series of reports to broadcast on News & Information stations statewide:
"Is the high school obsolete?" by Laura McCallum
Leaders ranging from the richest man in the world to Minnesota's governor say the same thing—the American high school is obsolete. And some statistics bear out that claim. The United States lags behind key competitors such as Japan in graduation rates, and math and science test scores. But does the high school need a complete overhaul?
"The high school-to-college crossover" by Art Hughes
The connection between high school and post-secondary education—is it a seamless transition? Are Minnesota State Colleges & Universities and the University of Minnesota getting the kinds of students they would like? Why do college students have to take remedial reading and math? Is this the place where high school may be failing?
"Prepping kids for the state's high-tech industry" by Lorna Benson
At Boston Scientific and other high tech firms, scientists work together and competitively to develop the next generation of medical devices. This is high-stakes work. Could we be doing more to prepare students for these jobs before they get to college? Are math and science strong enough in our high schools? The Minnesota State Colleges & Universities says kids are not getting the preparation they need for these jobs.
"Burn down a high school? Are they failing that badly?" by Brandt Williams
Should North High School in Minneapolis be "burned to the ground?" Minneapolis City Council Member Don Samuels made that statement, he says, to generate conversation about schools' performance and achievement by minority students. Williams visits North High students and teachers and parents to learn whether this inner city school is fulfilling its obligation to prepare kids for their future.
"The politics of bashing the high school" by Tim Pugmire
Why did Governor Pawlenty target high schools for criticism in the state of the state? According to the Governor, reaction was so strong to his comments on high schools being obsolete that he no longer uses that term. But his criticism of high schools and students has otherwise not abated. Part of his beliefs about students in high school grows out of his personal experience.
The series will launch online and on the air daily beginning Monday, April 23 with opportunities to participate in an ongoing discussion on the Web. All reports, discussions, a live stream of the April 27 event and archives of all related materials will be available on www.mpr.org.
Minnesota Public Radio® operates a 37-station radio network serving virtually all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states and produces programming for radio, Internet and face-to-face audiences. Programs produced by Minnesota Public Radio, operating as American Public Media™, reach 14.5 million listeners nationwide each week. Of those, more than 790,000 listen regionally, in Minnesota and surrounding states. A complete list of stations, programs and additional services can be obtained at www.mpr.org and www.americanpublicmedia.org.
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Source: Data are copyright Arbitron, Inc. Arbitron data are estimates only. Fall 2005/Spring 2006 average
Press Contacts:
Jennifer Haugh
Minnesota Public Radio
651-290-1369
jhaugh@mpr.org
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