96 percent of local sophomores pass

By KREMENA TODOROVA

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Ninety-six percent of local public school sophomores passed a statewide writing test this year, up from 88 percent in 2000, according to numbers released by the Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning on Wednesday.

These results compared to a state passing rate of 92, up from 86 percent last year.

Local private school students -- who are not required to take the test but routinely do -- also reported high passing rates.

At Cathedral High, 100 percent of sophomores passed, compared to 94 percent in 2000. At Minnesota Valley Lutheran, 97 percent passed, compared to 100 percent a year ago.

To pass the writing test, students need to score 3 or more on a six-point scale.

New Ulm Public's and MVL's scores ranged between 3.2 and 4, and Cathedral High's between 3.6 and 4.

Administrators from the three schools were pleased with the results, and uniformly praised teachers and students.

"I am pleased to see some improvement," said New Ulm Public's curriculum director Bill Sprung. "This reflects the work of sophomores and their teachers."

"We've placed more emphasis on writing in the curriculum for grades 7-10," Sprung said. "So maybe we are seeing the results of that."

Sprung noted that the test results are in line with the district's goals.

"Curriculum-wise, we are close to where we want to be," he stressed.

'We are very proud of the work our students do," said Cathedral counselor Sue Prunty, speaking on behalf of the staff. "It's a credit to our English department and to our entire school system ­ considering that we have abilities across the board."

Prunty noted that the tests confirmed the NUACS are on the "right track" and offer "a solid educational program."

"Of course, there is always room for improvement, and we'll continue to do just that," she said.

Ron Ohm, dean of students at MVL, stressed the school's steady performance.

MVL's results in the past three years have shown little fluctuation, and ranged between 97 and 100 percent.

This year's results are consistent with scores in the past - "with just a student or two not passing," Ohm said.

"This speaks well of our language arts program. It also shows that the elementary schools which 'feed' us students are doing a good job. ... We have a strong system."

Ohm stressed that the writing curriculum at MVL does not begin or end with the test, and juniors can take writing as an elective.

The test requires students to write a short essay, which is graded for theme clarity, logical organization and grammar.

The test is one of three Minnesota students need to pass to get a diploma. A reading and a math tests are given in eighth grade. Students who fail any of these tests have several more chances to take them.