Minneapolis Public Schools works to reenroll students dropped during ICE surge

Minneapolis Public Schools students returned from spring break this week as the district ended a temporary virtual option it launched in January. The purpose of that option was to sustain learning for students who were afraid to leave their homes during the surge of federal immigration agents to the state. More than 6,000 students used the virtual option at one point or another, according to the district. As they worked to support learning, educators raised concerns that immigrant students and students of color could experience a repeat of the academic losses and absenteeism that followed the COVID-19 pandemic. MPS Director of Student Retention and Recovery Colleen Kaibel joined MPR News host Emily Bright to reflect on the surge’s impact on attendance and talk about her office’s work moving forward.