Local test scores

improve consistently

By KREMENA TODOROVA

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Local reading and math test scores bucked a state trend, as eight-graders in all schools reported steady, substantial gains.

New Ulm Public's results in reading increased from 88.4 percent in 2002 to 88.7 percent in 2003. Math gains were even larger, as the passing rate jumped from 76 percent to 80.3 percent.

Statewide, math scores declined from a year ago and reading results improved slightly.

District 88 Curriculum Director Bill Sprung noted that the test results released Wednesday represent a dual achievement.

"We've continued to make progress in terms of the passage rate," said Sprung. "In addition, the average scale scores have also improved. In other words, more kids know more things."

Sprung cautioned that as New Ulm's percentage scores get into the 90s, gains are likely to slow down. "As a district, our main concern is to continue to change to better serve students," he said.

Sprung had no immediate explanation for the state's overall decline in math scores. But he noted that the content of the test changes from year to year, highlighting different elements of the curriculum. Also, performance can logically vary from class to class.

Local private schools -- which do not have to take the tests but have invariably chosen to do so -- reported across-the-board gains as well.

At NUACS Middle School, 100 percent of students passed the reading test, compared to 96 percent last year. The math passage rate was 96.2 percent, up from last year's 92 percent.

St. Paul's Lutheran also reported a 100 percent passage rate in reading, coupled with a 92.1 percent passage rate in math. These rates compared to last year's respective rates of 93 percent and 86 percent.

Sister Sharon Waldoch, NUACS administrator, attributed what she termed "a consistent creme de la creme" performance to the school's quality curriculum and the teachers' expertise.

She also said that this year's numbers are "a more directly" related to student attitudes, with this eighth-grade class especially "intent on quality performance."

"We consistently look for ways to ensure success..., we adjust the curriculum and always review outcomes," said Waldoch. "Our new math curriculum seems to have helped. As we progress, we'll be able to determine if it's the new curriculum, or this particular group of eighth-graders," she said.

St. Paul's Principal Dale Markgraf was expected to be away from his office this week and unavailable for comment.