Lagging test scores improve slightly

Missouri educators are pointing out the bright spots in statewide test scores still hovering in the single digits. The Department of Education released 1999 MAP scores yesterday, which showed 2% to 3% increases in many subjects over last year. Interim Commissioner Kent King says he’s particularly pleased with larger improvements among last year’s lowest-scoring students. But he admits it remains a sobering picture. Only 10% of state high school students are proficient in math; less than 7% are proficient in science. Two-thirds of Missouri third-graders aren’t reading on the “proficient” level. Detailed scores are available at http://www.dese.state.mo.us.