2. Why is this problem important?

Minnesota is at a critical juncture in its economic and social future. The global information economy demands a highly-educated, highly-skilled workforce, but Minnesota's capacity to meet that need is shrinking. At the same time that our Baby Boomers will begin to retire, the numbers of students graduating from high school and receiving bachelors degrees in Minnesota will decline. To maintain its strength in the U.S. and world economy, Minnesota needs more of its high school students to complete some form of higher education.

Minnesota should pay particular attention to the success of its immigrant students. Students of color are the only segment of Minnesota's school-age population that will grow in the coming decades. While we do not know the precise number of immigrant students in Minnesota schools, it is safe to assume that the immigrant student population will grow as the number of immigrants overall in Minnesota continues to grow. In addition, immigrant students often have the international languages, skills, perspectives and connections that students need to be successful in a global economy.

3. How could the Citizens League make a unique contribution?

The Citizens League (and its partner, the MACC Alliance of Connected Communities) is well positioned to lead on this issue. Our 2006 Immigration and Higher Education report will be released in early 2007 and will generate publicity and conversations around these issues. We can convene a table that brings together stakeholders (immigrants, representatives from institutions of higher education, etc.) and policy generalists (the traditional CL model).

Immigration is a hot political issue that would benefit from the Citizens League's respected process and nonpartisan approach.

4. What are prospects that project would yield recommendations that could be implemented and have a major impact on the problem?

The "framing" study committee developed the four key policy questions listed above with an eye toward the ability of a second committee to propose solutions that are effective and implementable.

The Citizens League could choose to focus on all four policy questions -- or take on just those that it thinks are "doable."

5. Explain how this problem can be addressed by data, research, and reason? Identify probable sources for data and research.

One of the lessons of the "framing" study committee was that there are few data available about immigrant students in Minnesota. The framing study committee resolved that problem by conducting its own focus groups; this was a very effective strategy and one I would suggest to the "solutions" study committee.

In addition, there are many best practices, models and initiatives that we could learn from under way in other states and countries.

6. Explain how this proposal can be framed without partisan bias.

Although immigration in general is a highly partisan political issue, the fundamental argument for focusing on immigrant students is an economic one and is not drawn along partisan lines: Minnesota needs more students to be successful in higher education. Immigrant students are especially worth investing in because they are a growing population and one with special skills that we believe Minnesota needs.

The topic does draw some of its energy from recent political debates about the DREAM Act. The DREAM Act (which would allow undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities) has bi-partisan support but, in Minnesota, is generally associated with the DFL. Governor Pawlenty has said that he will veto any legislation that includes the DREAM Act.

8. How would this project reach out to under-represented segments of the community?

Issues related to immigration are naturally important to immigrant communities. About half of the members of the "framing" study committee were themselves immigrants.

9. What is the potential for making this issue visible to a broader public? Why?

This issue will have special significance to ethnic and community media.

10. What resources—funding, experts, etc. might be available to support this project?

The framing study committee was funded by the ADC Foundation and the St. Paul Travelers Foundation.