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Minnesota eighth-graders' writing skills are just about average when compared with their peers across the nation.

That's according to results released today from the 2007 National Assessment of Educational Progress. Dubbed the "Nation's Report Card," the federal test is considered one of the best ways for states to compare performance.

Scores in Minnesota and Wisconsin were higher than 1998 results. Eighth-graders in Minnesota averaged 156 out of 300; Wisconsin students averaged 158.

"I was pleased to see that we've continued to increase our scores. But overall, we're just slightly over the national average," said Minnesota Education Commissioner Alice Seagren. "And I'd like to see us do much better than that."

Results for the writing test are reported at the national and state level for eighth-graders and only at the national level for 12th-graders.

The percentage of U.S. students considered proficient is still low. Only 31 percent of the nation's eighth-graders are proficient in writing, a level unchanged since 2003.

In Minnesota, 32 percent of eighth-graders were proficient, up from 25 percent in 1998. Wisconsin had 36 percent proficient, up from 28 percent.

Students are deemed proficient if they have few errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation and capitalization and if they can create an effective and organized response to the task at hand; demonstrate analytical, critical and creative thinking skills; and use sufficient details to clarify and enhance the central idea.

Seagren said the state Education Department plans to increase Minnesota's writing standards when they are revised next year.

"Writing should be integrated into every subject so it becomes second nature to kids," she said. "We need to get students comfortable writing down and organizing their thoughts."

The achievement gap between Minnesota's white students and their black and Hispanic peers was virtually unchanged from 1998 to 2007.

The national assessment is required by federal law and is given to a representative sample of students in each state. That means students who take the test represent the overall student population in a state's schools based on race, gender and income level.

The writing test was administered to 2,842 eighth-graders at 140 Minnesota schools.

Megan Boldt can be reached at 651-228-5495.

http://www.twincities.com/ci_8802558

RELATED LINK

 MDE Release   (with supplemental NAEP information)