JULY 2021
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THE LOWDOWN
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State graduation rate reaches historical high ROSEVILLE — The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) released the class of 2020’s graduation rate data on June 10. Overall, Minnesota high school seniors reached another historic graduation rate high of 83.8% (56,684 students) who graduated in 2020. This continues an upward trend for Minnesota’s statewide four-year graduation rate, which has increased by 1.3 percentage points in the last five years. Additionally, 3,490 students from earlier classes also earned their diplomas in 2020, graduating five, six or seven years after beginning high school. “The class of 2020 graduated while we were all just learning how to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a time of great uncertainty, and the perseverance of our students, educators and families demonstrates their commitment to rise to this moment and reach the end of their pre-K through grade 12 journey,” MDE Commissioner Dr. Heather Mueller said. “While we have so much to be proud of in Minnesota, we know that we still have work to do to close gaps and increase access, participation and representation to ensure every single student graduates from high school.
FROM THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Minnesota high school graduation rates from 2016 to 2020.
Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan’s Due North Education Plan will continue to guide us in eliminating barriers and building out the systems and structures we need to center our students so that every student is seen, valued, heard and represented
throughout their entire educational experience.” While graduation rates increased statewide for most racial and ethnic student groups, the graduation rate for Black students declined slightly from 2019 to 2020. American Indian
students saw a significant increase of 4.9 percentage points for a graduation rate of 55.7%. In the previous five years, the four-year graduation rate for American Indian students had remained between 49% and 51%. Fewer students are dropping out of high school. From 2019 to 2020, the overall statewide high school dropout rate decreased from 4.4% to 3.7%, and it also dropped for every major student group. This continues a trend from 2019, which had also seen a decrease in dropout rates statewide and in every major student group compared to 2018. “Seeing dropout rates continue to decrease is incredibly promising,” Mueller said. “When our school communities rally around students to help them complete high school, we can make a real difference. Dropout prevention begins the moment students walk in the door of our elementary schools and continues until they make it to graduation. I am excited to continue working with school leaders to share effective practices in this critical area.” From press release
Pratt’s legendary Stillwater career ends BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR
Alexis Pratt closed out a prodigious career as a Stillwater High School athlete at the state track meet on Saturday, June 19. Pratt placed second in both the 100 and 200 meter dashes, after winning both in the Section 4AA meet. She earned her seventh and eighth state sprint medals and her two highest individual finishes. Also a Miss Basketball finalist this winter, she will continue her athletic career in basketball at University of Nebraska-Omaha. Pratt got under 12 seconds in the 100 dash for
the first time as she and Edina’s Maddie Dahlien each hit the tape 11.9 seconds with Dahlein winning by an eyelash. In the 200, Pratt ran a 24.88 and again finished behind Dahlien. Pratt’s school records are the 11.99 and her 24.71 set earlier this year. As a sophomore, Pratt placed fourth in the state 100 dash, fifth in the 200 and second in the 4x100 relay. There was no state meet last year. She anchored state champion 4x100 and 4x200 teams with North St. Paul as an eighth-grader. She had an eighth-place finish in the 100 as a freshman. In basketball, Pratt, a 5-foot-5 guard, scored
1,980 points in four seasons with the Ponies, averaging 18, 16, 18 and 19.9 points, She previously notched 663 points in 7th and 8th grades at North, for a career total of 2,643 points. She ranks second in points for Stillwater behind Sara Scalia’s 2,610. All opponents were forced to play a fast-paced game because of Pratt, also a tenacious defender. The Ponies were 90-21 in her tenure here, and 73-10 with three state trips the last three seasons, with a Class 4A runner-up finish her sophomore year. Pratt was named Pioneer Press East Metro Player of the Year as a senior.
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Alexis Pratt (right) and Edina’s Maddie Dahlien each hit the tape at 11.99 seconds in the 100 at state Friday. Dahlien won in a photo finish.
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