Several Minnesota cities, including Minneapolis and Saint Paul, are currently in negotiations between school districts and teachers’ unions. Saint Paul teachers have voted to strike, and Minneapolis teachers are pointing out the pay gap between their district and Saint Paul. The average salary for a Minneapolis Public School (MPS) teacher is about $75,000, while in Saint Paul it’s $86,000 or more. Minneapolis teachers are asking for an 8.5% salary increase in the first year and 7.5% in the second year, aiming for equal pay.
In the midst of these pay discussions, education advocate Denisha Allen points out another inequality issue. She suggests that the topic of school choice for black families is not being addressed. Allen, a beneficiary of school choice, sees education as a key issue today. She criticizes the U.S. education system for its racial and economic disparities and its failure to cater to individual needs, especially those of black students.
Allen’s point is particularly relevant to Saint Paul and Minneapolis. According to the Minnesota Department of Education, only 9.9% of black students in Saint Paul Public Schools are proficient in math, and 16.5% in reading. In Minneapolis, the numbers are even lower, with 8% proficient in math and 14.5% in reading. Allen suggests that these districts are not adequately serving black students.