Rybak: Tutor and student relationship key to success

Former Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak
Former Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak
Tim Post | MPR News

Later today, the education group Generation Next will announce its latest effort to close the achievement gap in Minnesota schools.

The solution the group plans to propose is a simple one: Tutoring.

The group will be launching a campaign to recruit more adults to tutor children in reading.

MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with former Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, who joined Generation Next as executive director after he left office last year.

"The sad fact is many kids are not reading by fourth, fifth, sixth [grades], so they get into that math class with that complicated question, and even if they can do the math, they may not understand the problem," he said.

Statewide tests have shown wide gaps in reading and math proficiency between white students and students of color, but new data from the state Department of Education show that most Minnesota schools are on track to reduce achievement gaps.

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