Thursday, July 2, 2009

Minnesota schools fall behind in math and reading

July 1, 2009 - 5:49 AM

The results of this year's statewide tests are in: Minnesota students performed slightly better on math and reading tests, but the gains won't be enough to prevent more schools from being added to the list of those falling behind under the federal No Child Left Behind law.

The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments results were released today by the state Department of Education.

It is likely that for the first time, when the list is released in August, more than half the state's schools will be defined as not making adequate progress because their performance increases can't keep pace with rising targets.

"We're pleased that the scores are going up, but we just don't feel like we made enough growth," said David Heistad, director of research, evaluation and assessment for the Minneapolis schools.

Statewide, 64 percent of students were proficient on math tests, compared to 62 percent last year, and 72 percent were proficient on reading tests, compared to 71 percent last year.

Results "should only be one of many that parents and the public look at in evaluating whether their individual school is performing well," said Chas Anderson, deputy commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education.

A 2014 deadline

According to the federal No Child Left Behind law, states must test how different student groups are faring. If one group -- such as poor students -- fails to meet state targets, the school is labeled as not making "adequate yearly progress..."

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