Today Senator Roger Chamberlain (R-Lino Lakes) released a statement on the Nation’s Report Card showing significant decline in Minnesota student test scores. The report is published by the National Assessment of Educational Progress and shows more tough news for parents, schools and students.
“Today’s test scores demonstrate the current leadership in education is failing kids. Minnesota students’ reading scores dropped below Mississippi, despite record state funding and billions in federal COVID dollars in Minnesota. And while Minnesota students were locked out of schools last year, Florida schools re-opened and saw no significant decline in their student’s reading scores,” Chamberlain said.
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments results show a steady decline in reading comprehension, with less than half of 3rd graders reading at grade level.
“We need new ideas and leadership to get students back on track,” he continued. “Senate Republicans proposed significant literacy funding to ensure every kid can read by third grade, and made accountability and academics in the classroom a priority. Our students, parents, and educators deserve better than empty promises and burdensome mandates.”
The 2021 state budget for education included a historic increase in student funding, and funding for teacher literacy training to help students adapt and catch up from COVID and years of declining test scores. In 2022, Senate Republicans proposed an additional $50 million in literacy resources for teachers and students, but the proposals were rejected by Gov. Walz and House Democrats.
4th grade reading scores
Minnesota Mississippi Florida
2019: 222 2019: 219 2019: 225
2020: 215 2020: 217 2020: 225