After learning that Minnesota’s fourth-graders were among the leaders in reading skills in 1998, one local education administrator said she wasn’t surprised.

Saturday, October 30, 1999

After learning that Minnesota’s fourth-graders were among the leaders in reading skills in 1998, one local education administrator said she wasn’t surprised.

District 241 Curriculum Director Judy Knudtson said the National Education Goals Panel report proves what she already knew, Minnesota public schools offer a quality education.

&uot;It’s good news and more proof that we provide a quality program here,&uot; said Knudtson. &uot;We’re pleased to have been a part of the process.&uot;

In the NAEP report, Minnesota was one of seven states and one U.S. territory awarded a Gold Star for four-year improvements in fourth-grade reading skills. With Sibley Elementary School students among the those tested, the results show that 36 percent of the state’s fourth-graders tested at proficient or advanced reading levels.

Overall, Minnesota tied Maine with the fourth-highest percentages in the country. Only Connecticut tested significantly higher with 46 percent of its fourth-graders reading at upper levels. Iowa fourth-graders tested at 35 percent, just below their Minnesota counterparts.

While 11 states had comparable results, 29 tested significantly lower than Minnesota.

The state’s results didn’t count individual district outcomes, but Knudtson said it’s safe to assume that Sibley students also tested high.

&uot;If Minnesota did well, we can presume we did well,&uot; she said. &uot;We know we’re making gains based on teachers’ hard work, parents’ hard work and volunteers’ hard work. Our kids are reading better.&uot;

She said one indicator of the improvement is the state’s basic graduation standard tests.

Each year since the tests were first given to eighth-graders, Albert Lea’s results have improved in reading; the percentage of students who passed the test increased from 69 to 73 percent last year.

Besides hard work, Knudtson credited the implementation of modern technology, a $150,000 reading program purchased before the 1998 school year, continued staff development opportunities and varied teaching methods with the success.

&uot;We believe with our new materials and a continued emphasis on state-of-the-art we’re making gains with all of our children,&uot; she said.