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Executive
Summary 
by Paul Mattessich
Executive Director
How can our state be so good, yet so bad?
 
It's the Minnesota Paradox. We need to solve that paradox, to ensure the prosperity of our state and a high quality of life for all of our residents. Minnesota has steadily grown in population since the mid-20th century; projections show continued steady growth for at least the next few decades. How those residents will fare, however, depends on critical choices we must make now.

The good part

Minnesota ranks high overall on many important measures of quality of life.
 
The American College of Sports Medicine puts us in first place for overall health. CNN Money identifies several of our Twin Cities area's municipalities among the best 20 places to live in the United States. Prevention Magazine rated the Twin Cities the 3rd "happiest, healthiest" place in the United States. America's Health Rankings place Minnesota fifth among the 50 states for overall health.
 
 
October 2013
Homelessness in Minnesota
A comprehensive report based on the 2012 homeless study has just been released. Co-directors Greg Owen and Michelle Decker Gerrard identify 5 key reasons why people are homeless in Minnesota. More

For more details, check out the full report.
Also, congratulations to Greg for receiving the Bruce Vento Distinguished Service Award at the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless Annual Conference! More
What does the number 606 have to do with homelessness? Get the answer from Wilder's Public Policy Director Patrick Ness. More
New From the Wilder Blog
Steve Nelson, Communications and Evaluation Manager at Volunteers of America-Minnesota/Amicus, reflects on the growing number of girls in the criminal justice system and how the historically male-centered system needs attention. More
 
STEM in Minnesota

The new STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) section at Minnesota Compass offers a cradle-to-career framework for monitoring and supporting STEM eductation in Minnesota. Find data, benchmarks, and best practices. More
New Research
LIFE Prep Charter School
A case study of a prekindergarten through eighth-grade charter school located in Saint Paul that has been recognized for its academic achievement results with a largely low-income population. The study identifies core components of the school's model, key success factors, and areas for future refinement.
New Staff
Please join us in welcoming our two newest researchers, Nina Eagin and Amanda Hane. Nina will work on data systems projects and Amanda will work on health-related research. Welcome to both!
See Nina's bio
See Amanda's bio




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