By Lori EhdeResults are in from the Minnesota Department of Education’s 2004 Basic Skills Tests in reading, writing and math.Reading and math tests were given to eighth-graders in February.In Luverne, 80 percent of its eighth-graders passed the math test and 88 percent passed the reading test.Statewide, 70.7 percent of students passed the math test, and 81.1 passed the reading test. These results are consistent with results from recent years.Writing tests were administered to 10th-graders, and in Luverne, 96 percent of its sophomores passed the test while statewide, 91.4 percent passed.Luverne Curriculum Coordinator Jan Olson helps to track local students in the testing process."Our reading numbers went up, but our math numbers went down," she said. "But then, the whole state went down in math."While the results are generally encouraging, Olson said the tests aren’t a good way to track student progress from year to year."The tests change every year, but I think we’re staying pretty well at pace with other districts in this area of the state."
