Area school

officials: Star ratings worthwhile

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

ST. PAUL -- Like most Minnesota schools, Sleepy Eye and Springfield Public Schools got three out of five stars for their math and reading teaching efforts to third and fifth-graders.

Sleepy Eye and Springfield superintendents both thought the report cards were worthwhile.

Sleepy Eye Supt. Arla Dokter said she thought her school was at least worth three stars, maybe more.

"I think it depends on how you write in the data," Dokter said. "It's important to make sure you provide the right information and know how it is used."

Dokter said her school has more students registered each fall than the number of students that actually take spring tests since a good share of the school's students move to Texas over the winter and stay down south through the spring.

"If students aren't here in the spring, we don't get credit for them," Dokter said. "One of two students could make the difference between getting another star for attendance. I imagine there is room for improvement."

Springfield Supt. Dr. Luther Heller said he was pleased with the initial outcome of the report card grades. He advised against quickly comparing average test scores of different schools.

"I like the idea of report cards. I think it will be a real helpful tool to get information to the public," Heller said. "If you start comparing schools, you need to look at the demographic makeup of a school district because it really has an impact."

Heller said test scores could vary enough year to year, making it improper to evaluate schools using only that criteria.

"Sometimes, we'll have a great group of students, while other classes might not be that way," Heller said. "