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State test scores level off, but learning gap narrows
by Tim Pugmire, Minnesota Public Radio
April 7, 2004

Minnesota eighth grade test scores in math took a slight dip this year, while reading scores remained steady from 2003. It's the second year in a row that the passing rate for the Basic Skills Tests in math has declined. But state education officials say the results released Wednesday begin to show some evidence that the racial achievement gap is narrowing.

St. Paul, Minn. — About 66,000 Minnesota eighth graders took the Basic Skills Tests in February. Results from the Minnesota Department of Education show 81 percent passed the reading exam. That's the same result as a year ago, and the highest mark reached since 1998, when the state required all schools participate. Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke says she sees positive trends in reading.

"If you look at the gain scores over the last six years, we've got double digit gains, double digit increases in percentage of students passing, for all ethnic and demographic groups," Yecke said. "So that's a very good thing. Some of the more notable increases in achievement are among black students, native Americans, students from disadvantaged families and those with limited English proficiency."

Yecke is significantly more upbeat about this year's test results than she was a year ago. When last year's results were released, she said she was shocked by the wide achievement gaps found between white and minority students.

The Basic Skills Tests are aimed at ensuring all Minnesota students graduate from high school with minimum competency in reading, math and writing. The reading and math exams are given for the first time in eighth grade, while the writing test comes in 10th grade. Students get multiple opportunities to pass before their graduation. The writing results, released last week, also remained steady from the previous year.

Overall, the achievement in math and the percentage of students passing has remained flat, and that is a concern. - Cheri Pierson Yecke, education commissioner

This year's overall passing rate for the math test was 71 percent, down from 72 percent in 2003. The high point of 75 percent was reached in 2002. Commissioner Yecke says math results have been relatively flat for six years.

"We do see some positive movement for a few ethnic groups. Black students, Asian students and Native American are showing some gains over the past six years," Yecke said. "But overall, the achievement in math and the percentage of students passing has remained flat, and that is a concern."

Yecke says she's optimistic new statewide academic standards in math, which schools are implementing this year, will help push the passing rates upward. The standards set specific, grade-by-grade learning expectations.

Many school districts, including the state's largest, suffered testing setbacks this year. Only 52 percent of Minneapolis eighth graders passed the reading test, a three point drop from last year. Results from the math test fell from 46.5 percent last year to 41 percent this year. David Heistad, director of research, evaluation and assessment for Minneapolis schools, says he's surprised and disappointed. He says the district's recent budget cuts and teacher layoffs might have been factors.

"Schools with the highest poverty that had the most inexperienced staff may have made the greatest losses on this test," Heistad. "But it's still a little bit early in the analysis to know for sure if that hypothesis is going to turn out to be true."

The passing rate for reading in the St. Paul school district climbed two points to 58 percent. But results on the math test dipped to 43 percent. That compares to 45 percent a year ago.

Officials with the state Department of Education plan to study the test results and highlight schools and school districts that made significant gains over last year. Commissioner Yecke says she hopes the strategies used in those locations can help other schools achieve similar success.

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