Southwest Schools See Reading, Math Gains

Many Southwest Minneapolis schools posted strong gains in reading and math test scores in 2011, according to data recently released by the Minnesota Department of Education.

Leading the pack of improving schools were once-struggling Washburn High School (a 9 percentage point-gain in students reading at grade level) and Anthony Middle School (a 6 percentage point gain).

Critically, the district as a whole saw better gains for its low-income students than their peers across the state. Six percent more of Minneapolis' low-income students were rated proficient in math, and 3 percent more were rated proficient in reading than in 2010.

Statewide, low-income students saw only a 2 percent gain in math and a 1 percent gain in reading over 2010. While small, district officials say they are moving in the right direction.

At Tuesday night's school board meeting, board memebers were full of praise for teachers, students and Superintendent Bernadiea Johnson.

"I want to congratulate our whole district on the achievement gains," said board Chair Jill Davis. "It's parents, it's teachers, it's bus drivers (...) who're putting in hours and hours and hours and often go above and beyond to support our kids in many ways."

"It does take a village to raise children," she added, "but it also takes a village to raise test scores."

Bill English, co-chair of the Council of Black Churches and longtime critic of the district's gap lauded the gains. 

"We believe it is an affirmation of the strategic objectives and strategic plan that is the underpinning of academic progress," he said. "The scores are not where we want them to be, but we do believe that under the direction of the Minneapolis (Public Schools') superintendent and Minneapolis' teachers, they are not where they are going to be."

Superintendent Bernadiea Johnson also applauded district staff for producing the gains. Still, she pointed out the gains were not enough to stave off federal sanctions if Minnesota is not granted a waiver from No Child Left Behind regulations. The sanctions would fall into place if 100 percent of Minneapolis' students were not reading and doing math at grade level by 2014. Currently only 37 percent are proficient in math and 56 percent are proficient in reading.