Press Release

February 11, 2025

Contact: Sam Stockwell
samuel_stockwell@gse.harvard.edu
617.495.0342

Minnesota Ranked 45th Among States in Math Recovery and 34th in Reading Between 2019 and 2024

But that doesn’t tell the whole story—between 2022-2024, Minnesota ranked 16th in math and 8th in reading.

Despite gaining almost 20% of a grade level in math (.19 grade equivalents) between 2022-2024, students remain almost three quarters of a grade level behind 2019 levels.

(February 11, 2025) In its third year of reporting on the pace of academic recovery measures in districts nationwide, the Education Recovery Scorecard (a collaboration between the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University and The Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford University) is issuing its annual report on district-level student growth in math and reading.

The latest report also provides the first high resolution picture of where Minnesota students’ academic recovery stood in Spring 2024, just before federal relief dollars expired in September. While the National Assessment of Educational Progress described changes in average achievement by state, we combine those scores with district scores on state assessments to describe the change in local communities throughout Minnesota. Here’s what we found:

  • Minnesota ranked 45th among states in terms of recovery in math and 34th in reading between 2019 and 2024, but that doesn’t tell the whole story—between 2022-2024, Minnesota ranked 16th in math and 8th in reading.
  • Despite gaining almost 20% of a grade level in math (.19 grade equivalents) between 2022-2024, students remain almost three quarters of a grade level behind 2019 levels (.74 grade level equivalents). Students made up slight ground in reading between 2022-2024 (.01 grade equivalents) but are still more than half a grade level below 2019 levels on average (.57 grade level equivalents). In other words, the loss in math achievement in Minnesota is almost 75 percent of the progress students typically make annually between grades 4 through grade 8.
  • The average student in some districts, such as Lakeville, Eden Prairie, White Bear Lake, Mounds View, Robbinsdale, Burnsville, St Cloud, and North St. Paul- Maplewood Oakdale remains at least a grade equivalent below their 2019 mean achievement in math; the same is true for reading in South Washington County and North St. Paul- Maplewood Oakdale.
  • Reading and math are both concerns in Minnesota, as 96% percent of students are in districts whose average math achievement in 2024 remained below their own 2019 levels and 98% are in districts whose average reading achievement in 2024 remained below their own 2019 levels, reflecting a national trend. Nationally, 89 percent of students are in districts below 2019 levels in reading, and only 11 percent have surpassed 2019 levels.
  • Still, there are bright spots: mean achievement for students in Eastern Carver County has surpassed 2019 levels in math and recovered to only 20 percent of a grade equivalent below 2019 levels in reading.
  • A sharp rise in chronic absenteeism (students missing more than 10 percent of a school year) from 14 percent of students in 2019 before the pandemic to 30 percent in 2022 (down to 26 percent in 2023) is slowing the recovery in many districts in Minnesota.
  • Minnesota received over $2 billion in federal pandemic relief for K-12 schools—or roughly $2,300 per student—which is less than the national average of $3700 per student. Nationally, our analysis suggests that the dollars did contribute to the academic recovery, especially when targeted at academic catch-up efforts such as summer learning and tutoring.

One of the project leaders, Professor Tom Kane from Harvard, said: “Unless state and local leaders step up now, the achievement losses will be the longest lasting– and most inequitable– legacy of the pandemic.”

The federal pandemic relief dollars may be gone, but the pandemic’s impact lingers in many Minnesota schools. Even without federal relief dollars, states could be targeting continuing federal Title I dollars and state dollars to implement interventions which have been shown effective, such as tutoring and summer learning.  State leaders, mayors, employers and other community leaders should join schools to redouble efforts on the shared challenge of reducing student absenteeism.

For the national press release and findings click here

About the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University

The Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University, based at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, seeks to transform education through quality research and evidence. CEPR and its partners believe all students will learn and thrive when education leaders make decisions using facts and findings, rather than untested assumptions. Learn more at cepr.harvard.edu.

Contact: Sam Stockwell, samuel_stockwell@gse.harvard.edu, (617) 495-0342

District Fact Sheets

Statewide Data
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Mountain Iron Buhl School District - 2700001
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United South Central School District - 2700005
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Maple River School District - 2700006
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Kingsland Public School District - 2700007
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St Louis County School District - 2700008
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Waterville Elysian Morristown - 2700013
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Chisago Lakes School District - 2700017
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Minnewaska School District - 2700019
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Wadena Deer Creek School District - 2700022
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Buffalo Lk Hector Stewart Public School - 2700023
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Warren Alvarado Oslo School District - 2700024
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Lakeview School District - 2700088
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Murray County Central School District - 2700090
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Maccray School District - 2700091
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Yellow Medicine East - 2700099
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Fillmore Central - 2700100
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Sibley East School District - 2700102
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Clearbrook Gonvick School District - 2700103
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West Central Area - 2700104
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A C G C Public School District - 2700106
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Greenbush Middle River School District - 2700107
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Pipestone Area School District - 2700108
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Long Prairie Grey Eagle School District - 2700109
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Cedar Mountain School District - 2700110
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Howard Lake Waverly Winsted - 2700123
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Fairmont Area School District - 2700124
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Lac Qui Parle Valley School District - 2700125
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Stephen Argyle Central Schools - 2700127
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Glencoe Silver Lake School District - 2700128
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Blue Earth Area Public School - 2700130
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Red Rock Central School District - 2700132
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Clinton Graceville Beardsley - 2700150
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Lake Park Audubon School District - 2700162
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Renville County West School District - 2700163
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Redwood Area School District - 2700182
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Westbrook Walnut Grove Schools - 2700183
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Jackson County Central School District - 2700231
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Plainview Elgin Millville - 2700287
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Rtr Public Schools - 2700294
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Tracy Area Public School District - 2700326
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Ortonville Public Schools - 2700328
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Tri City United School District - 2700379
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Brandon Evansville Public Schools - 2700382
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Morris Area Public Schools - 2700383
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Red Lake County Central Public Schools - 2700385
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Round Lake Brewster Public Schools - 2700388
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Lester Prairie Public School District - 2702640
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Southland Public School District - 2702720
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Adrian Public School District - 2702730
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Aitkin Public School District - 2702760
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Walker Hackensack Akeley School District - 2702910
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Albany Public School District - 2702930
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Alden Conger Public School District - 2703030
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Alexandria Public School District - 2703060
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Annandale Public School District - 2703150
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Anoka Hennepin Public School District - 2703180
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Ashby Public School District - 2703300
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Austin Public School District - 2703450
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Badger Public School District - 2703540
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Bagley Public School District - 2703570
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Barnesville Public School District - 2703660
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Barnum Public School District - 2703690
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Battle Lake Public School District - 2703750
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Becker Public School District - 2703870
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Belle Plaine Public School District - 2704050
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Bemidji Public School District - 2704440
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Benson Public School District - 2704470
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Bertha Hewitt Public School District - 2705430
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Big Lake Public School District - 2705460
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Bird Island Olivia Lake Lillian - 2705660
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Blackduck Public School District - 2705730
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Blooming Prairie Public School District - 2705760
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Bloomington Public School District - 2705790
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Braham Public School District - 2706060
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Brainerd Public School District - 2706090
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Breckenridge Public School District - 2706150
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Browerville Public School District - 2706300
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Buffalo Hanover Montrose Public Schools - 2707200
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Burnsville Public School District - 2707290
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Byron Public School District - 2707350
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Caledonia Public School District - 2707380
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Cambridge Isanti Public School District - 2707410
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Canby Public School District - 2707470
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Cannon Falls Public School District - 2707500
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Centennial Public School District - 2708100
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Eastern Carver County Public School - 2708190
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Chatfield Public Schools - 2708220
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Chisholm Public School District - 2708910
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Cleveland Public School District - 2709330
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Cloquet Public School District - 2709420
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Rocori Public School District - 2709440
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Greenway Public School District - 2709480
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Columbia Heights Public School District - 2709510
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Cromwell Wright Public Schools - 2709690
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Crookston Public School District - 2709720
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Crosby Ironton Public School District - 2709750
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Dassel Cokato Public School District - 2710060
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Dawson Boyd Public School District - 2710090
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Delano Public School District - 2710170
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Detroit Lakes Public School District - 2710230
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Dilworth Glyndon Felton - 2710260
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Dover Eyota Public School District - 2711010
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Duluth Public School District - 2711040
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East Central School District - 2711085
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East Grand Forks Public School District - 2711130
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Eden Valley Watkins School District - 2711190
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Edgerton Public School District - 2711220
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Edina Public School District - 2711250
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Independent School District 728 - 2711370
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Ely Public School District - 2711520
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Minnetonka Public School District - 2711670
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Faribault Public School District - 2711760
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Farmington Public School District - 2711820
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Fertile Beltrami School District - 2711910
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Foley Public School District - 2712240
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Forest Lake Public School District - 2712270
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Fosston Public School District - 2712300
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Frazee Vergas Public School District - 2712360
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Fridley Public School District - 2712420
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Fulda Public School District - 2712480
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G F W - 2712580
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Goodhue Public School District - 2712900
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Goodridge Public School District - 2713020
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Granada Huntley East Chain - 2713040
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Cook County Public Schools - 2713110
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Grand Meadow Public School District - 2713140
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Grand Rapids Public School District - 2713170
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Hancock Public School District - 2713380
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Hastings Public School District - 2713530
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Hawley Public School District - 2713560
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Hayfield Public School District - 2713590
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Henning Public School District - 2713860
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Hermantown Public School District - 2713920
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Hibbing Public School District - 2713980
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Hills Beaver Creek School District - 2714040
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Hinckley Finlayson School District - 2714070
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Holdingford Public School District - 2714190
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Eden Prairie Public School District - 2714220
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Hopkins Public School District - 2714260
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Hutchinson Public School District - 2714970
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International Falls School District - 2715000
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Inver Grove Heights Schools - 2715030
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Isle Public School District - 2715510
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Jordan Public School District - 2715750
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Kasson Mantorville School District - 2716980
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Kenyon Wanamingo School District - 2717100
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Kerkhoven Murdock Sunburg - 2717120
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Kimball Public School District - 2717220
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La Crescent Hokah School District - 2717250
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Lake City Public School District - 2717520
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Lake Of The Woods School District - 2717570
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Lakeville Public School District - 2717780
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Lanesboro Public School District - 2717910
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Laporte Public School District - 2717940
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Leroy Ostrander Public Schools - 2718060
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Le Sueur Henderson School District - 2718070
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Lewiston Altura Public School District - 2718090
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Litchfield Public School District - 2718210
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Little Falls Public School District - 2718240
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Littlefork Big Falls School District - 2718270
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Luverne Public School District - 2718330
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Lyle Public School District - 2718360
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Mabel Canton Public School District - 2718540
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Madelia Public School District - 2718570
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Mahnomen Public School District - 2718660
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Mahtomedi Public School District - 2718750
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Mankato Public School District - 2718780
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Maple Lake Public School District - 2718810
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Marshall Public School District - 2718940
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Martin County West School District - 2718960
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Mcgregor Public School District - 2719170
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Medford Public School District - 2719320
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Melrose Public School District - 2720550
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Milaca Public School District - 2720670
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Minneapolis Public School District - 2721240
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Minneota Public School District - 2721270
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Montevideo Public School District - 2721320
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Monticello Public School District - 2721390
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Moorhead Public School District - 2721420
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Moose Lake Public School District - 2721450
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Mora Public School District - 2721480
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Westonka Public School District - 2722920
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Mounds View Public School District - 2722950
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Mountain Lake Public Schools - 2723010
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Nashwauk Keewatin School District - 2723310
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Nevis Public School District - 2723370
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New London Spicer School District - 2723400
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New Prague Area Schools - 2723430
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New Ulm Public School District - 2723490
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New York Mills Public School District - 2723520
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Marshall County Central Schools - 2723550
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Nicollet Public School District - 2723580
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North Branch Public Schools - 2723820
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North St Paul Maplewood Oakdale District - 2723850
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Northfield Public School District - 2723880
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Central Public School District - 2723910
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Ogilvie Public School District - 2723970
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Onamia Public School District - 2725050
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Orono Public School District - 2725080
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Osakis Public School District - 2725140
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Osseo Public School District - 2725200
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Owatonna Public School District - 2728050
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Park Rapids Public School District - 2728080
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Parkers Prairie Public School District - 2728110
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Paynesville Public School District - 2728140
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Pelican Rapids Public School District - 2728170
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Pequot Lakes Public Schools - 2728200
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Perham Dent Public School District - 2728230
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Rushford Peterson Public Schools - 2728290
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Pierz Public School District - 2728320
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Pillager Public School District - 2728350
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Pine City Public School District - 2728380
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Pine Island Public School District - 2728950
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Pine River Backus School District - 2728970
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Princeton Public School District - 2730030
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Prior Lake Savage Area Schools - 2730060
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Proctor Public School District - 2730090
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Randolph Public School District - 2730150
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Red Lake Falls Public School District - 2730450
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Red Wing Public School District - 2730480
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Red Lake Public School District - 2730510
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Richfield Public School District - 2731750
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Robbinsdale Public School District - 2731780
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Rochester Public School District - 2731800
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Rockford Public School District - 2732070
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Roseau Public School District - 2732250
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Rosemount Apple Valley Eagan - 2732390
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Roseville Public School District - 2732430
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Rothsay Public School District - 2732460
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Royalton Public School District - 2732520
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Rush City Public School District - 2732550
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Sartell St Stephen School District - 2732820
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Sauk Centre Public School District - 2732850
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Sauk Rapids Rice Public Schools - 2732880
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Sebeka Public School District - 2732970
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Shakopee Public School District - 2733000
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Sleepy Eye Public School District - 2733210
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South St Paul Public School District - 2733270
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Spring Grove School District - 2733300
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Spring Lake Park Public Schools - 2733330
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Springfield Public School District - 2733390
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St Anthony New Brighton Schools - 2733420
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St Charles Public School District - 2733450
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St Clair Public School District - 2733480
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St Cloud Public School District - 2733510
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St Francis Area Schools - 2733540
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St James Public School District - 2733600
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St Louis Park Public School District - 2733780
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St Michael Albertville School District - 2733790
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South Washington County School District - 2733810
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St Paul Public School District - 2733840
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St Peter Public School District - 2733870
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Staples Motley School District - 2733900
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Stewartville Public School District - 2738160
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Stillwater Area Public School District - 2738190
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Swanville Public School District - 2738280
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Thief River Falls School District - 2738850
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Esko Public School District - 2738880
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Triton School District - 2740665
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Lake Superior Public School District - 2740740
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Ulen Hitterdal Public School District - 2740810
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Underwood Public School District - 2740830
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Upsala Public School District - 2740860
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Verndale Public School District - 2740920
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Wabasso Public School District - 2741430
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Waconia Public School District - 2741460
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Warroad Public School District - 2741850
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Waseca Public School District - 2741880
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Watertown Mayer Public School District - 2741910
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Waubun Ogema White Earth Public Schools - 2742120
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Wayzata Public School District - 2742160
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West St Paul Mendota Hts Eagan - 2742270
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Wheaton Area Public School District - 2742330
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White Bear Lake School District - 2742360
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Willmar Public School District - 2742720
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Willow River Public School District - 2742750
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Windom Public School District - 2742780
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Winona Area Public School District - 2744070
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Wrenshall Public School District - 2744190
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Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial - 2791445
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Kittson Central School District - 2791447
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Win E Mac School District - 2791449
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Mesabi East School District - 2791450
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Janesville Waldorf Pemberton - 2791451
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