While the Star Tribune reports that Latest school tests show little progress, Mankato Free Press tells its readers Local students top state test averages. A local assessment expert is cited:
Locally, Mankato Area Public Schools and other districts performed above the state averages on the MCA-II tests in reading and math for many grade levels and surpassed last year’s performance as well.
“At most grade levels, we have made progress moving students to higher levels of proficiency,” said Gwen Walz, testing coordinator for Mankato Area Public Schools. “In most grades, we have a greater percentage of students meeting proficiency than the state. We know this is an area of continued improvement.”
St. Peter, Nicollet and New Ulm, among others, also saw MCA-II scores above the state averages.
The test scores are important because the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act requires schools to show improvement from year to year. The Strib explains:
State reading and math test scores across Minnesota showed little change this year, according to data being released by the Minnesota Department of Education today. After last year's steep declines -- attributed to tougher tests and more demanding standards -- holding steady might be considered good news.But in an era when schools are required to show improvement every year, state officials are expressing concern over the lack of progress in the second year of the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments-II (MCA-II)
In Washington, NCLB is up for reauthorization this year. Education Week (subscription required) reports that work on the bill will begin after the August recess.
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