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March 21, 2000
Area students fare well on state testBy GUY PRIEL Journal Staff Writer ROSEVILLE -- Despite a last minute change in how the mathematics portion of the Minnesota Basic Skills Test was scored, seniors throughout the region fared well, following statewide trends indicating an overall increase in the number of seniors passing. Students who failed the tests last October were administered the test again in February. Out of 67,000 high school seniors statewide, 3,672 took the test in February, with 1,551 passing. Out of the remaining amount, 1,451 need to pass the math portion, 241 need to pass the reading portion, and 429 need to pass both tests. "These tests give meaning to Minnesota public high school diplomas," Children, Families and Learning Commissioner Christine Jax said. "Beginning this year, we know that our graduates have mastered the reading and math skills they need to make a future for themselves." The last minute change in the scoring process came about after state officials realized the math portion of the test was more difficult than those administered in the past. The scoring change means it is easier for students to pass the math test with fewer correct answers. The scoring method was changed from a raw score, which is a percentage of correct answers, to a scaled score, which compares the level of difficulty of one test to another. Under the new scoring method, students who scored 47 of 68 questions correct, or 69 percent, will pass, because 47 correct answers is equivalent to 48 correct answers from previous tests, state testing officials said. Scaled-scoring is commonly used with the SAT, ACT and the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, which are nationwide tests. This method of scoring is used because the same test can't be given every year and every change on a test can have major effects. Seniors who failed this round of tests will have one more opportunity to take the test before graduation. A special administration is scheduled April 17 and 18. "It is unfair to judge other people based on our standards," Nicollet Superintendent John Hornung said. "They may not understand the tests." In Nicollet, there were two students failing, with one failing both portions and the other failing the reading portion. One moved to the district from another state and the other was a special education student, he said. "Having one or two students failing is pretty common for rural districts throughout the state," he said. Students not passing the special administration in April will receive a certificate of attendance and will have another opportunity to pass during the summer. "It is ironic that students can pass the classes and get all their credits and still not receive a diploma because they fail the tests," Hornung said. Test results released from the state on Friday indicate that seven New Ulm seniors failed the tests, with two failing both sections and five failing the math section. Districts where one student failed the math portion in February include Buffalo Lake-Hector, Madelia, Sibley East and Westbrook-Walnut Grove. Districts where two or more students failed the math portion in February include Belview-Danville-Renville-Sacred Heart, three students; GFW, nine students; Redwood Area Schools, two students; Sleepy Eye, three students; Springfield, three students; St. Peter, six students; St. James, four students; and Wabasso, two students. Districts where students failed both sections are GFW, one student; Nicollet, one student; St. James, four students; St. Peter, eight students; and Springfield, one student. Madelia, GFW and Nicollet had one student failing the reading portion. No results were reported for Cedar Mountain, Red Rock Central, or Comfrey.
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