Minneapolis Public Schools

The Urban Area Summer Program and Project Head Start in Minneapolis were tuition free programs aimed at helping children from disadvantaged backgrounds improve their chances for progress in school and subsequent employment by providing them with summer-time learning experiences and activities previously unavailable to them. Money obtained through Title 1 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 funded the programs. Selection of eligible children was made by teachers, principals, and school social workers. During 1965, 3,340 children participated in the two programs which were held at 16 city elementary schools. Classes were limited to 20 children and ran for five weeks. Flexible teaching techniques and individual instruction were used at all grade levels. Teachers were assisted in the classroom by approximately 160 adult volunteers. Less formal classroom situations taught reading, writing, speaking, math, music, cooking, art, and swimming. Field trips were a significant part of the curriculum. Willard M. Ludford, principal of the Elizabeth Hall Elementary School was project administrator during 1965-1966.

In addition to the summer program for grades 1-6, the Head Start program was for pre-kindergarteners. In Head Start the children were served breakfast daily, had physical examinations, and participated in programs and field trips like the older children. Both programs ran 8:30 to 11:30, Monday through Friday.

From the description of Urban Area Summer Program and Project Head Start scrapbooks, 1965-1966. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122588666

Primary goals of the Southeast Alternatives [SEA] project were: to provide a choice of educational alternatives for students, parents, and faculty; to provide a K-12 continuum of learning experiences; to encourage and provide opportunities for parents, students, staff, administrators, and faculty to participate in the educational and decision making process through decentralized administration; and to incorporate promising educational practices within the curriculum and develop experimental programs.

The National Institute of Education and the Minneapolis School Board, in a program budget for 1971-1972, state that "the project will test comprehensive change over a five year period combining promising school practices in a mutually reinforcing design. Curriculum, staff training, administration, teaching methods, internal research, and governance in SEA make up the mutually reinforcing parts."

The project was funded in June 1971 and became operational in September 1971. Federal funds were terminated in 1976, although the Minneapolis school board approved the continuation of a citywide alternative educational system as a result of this project.

From the description of Southeast Alternatives experimental schools project records, 1971-1979. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122299443