Chris Coleman for Saint Paul

Creating an environment where children are able to succeed is key to continued safety and economic growth in Saint Paul — which is why closing the achievement gap and ensuring that every child in Saint Paul can succeed, no matter his or her background, is Mayor Coleman’s top priority. Mayor Coleman’s innovative education agenda has established Saint Paul — home to an urban public, private and charter-school system that is second to none, as well as to one of the largest networks of colleges and universities in one city in the country — as a national leader in education.

Starting Early

With 90 percent of child intellectual development happening between before age 5, there is no question that the key to success is providing a high-quality learning environment as quickly as possible. Mayor Coleman has brought these opportunities to Saint Paul by giving families the tools to make good choices through Parent Aware, providing more than 900 children with early-education scholarships, and expanding kindergarten readiness to thousands of children by launching the “Blast Off To K” initiative and website (www.blastofftok.org).

Expanding the Learning Day

Education doesn’t stop at the schoolhouse doors — nor does the City’s focus on bridging the achievement gap. Mayor’s Coleman’s Second Shift initiative — which puts City resources to work by using our libraries and recreation centers to extend the learning day — is the center of his education agenda. Whether providing kids with 60,000 rides to learning centers on the City’s free circulator bus system, opening six free homework centers in our libraries, or giving children a safe and engaging place to spend time on days with no school, the Mayor’s Second Shift initiative has revolutionized the City’s approach to education — and won Saint Paul national praise.

Changing Expectations for Higher Education

Minnesota’s potential for long-term economic growth and prosperity lies in our ability to educate people and keep them here. To build a state that works for everyone, we must raise children’s and families’ expectations of higher education, and Chris Coleman has put City resources to work to ensure that every student has access to education and job training after high-school graduation. By opening college-access center in City-owned recreation centers, eliminating financial barriers to college through “The Power of You” initiative, or fighting at the Capitol to expand the City’s youth job corps, Mayor Coleman has worked to make sure that everyone in Saint Paul can compete in, and benefit from, the a global economy.