Test scores were released from state eighth-grade reading and math tests this week, and while the Albert Lea school district’s scores improved from last year, they still lagged behind the state averages.

&uot;To me the good news is that we had a raise in kids passing over previous years,&uot; Judy Knudtson, director of curriculum for Albert Lea Area Schools, said.

The tests are minimum standards set by the state for passing on to high school. They are also a requirement to pass in order to receive a diploma.

&uot;These tests are able to tell us and the community that by the time they get to graduation they’ll have the skills for the real world,&uot; she said.

Albert Lea was at about the state average on reading scores, at 80.5 percent of students passing the basic skills test. The state average is 81 percent.

The district did not fare as well on math scores, averaging 68.8 percent of students passing the test. The state average was 71.7 percent.

Knudtson said that the tests give the district an idea of how students are doing but she also pointed out that the district has more at-risk students than many of the surrounding districts. She said this is a reason why scores are sometimes down further than the district would like.

Knudtson also said that Albert Lea had a high number of students who had near-perfect scores.

This week, the district will send out student’s scores to parents. Students must pass the tests before they can graduate from high school. The district offers summer courses that focus on areas of the test; students can complete the course and re-take the test.

&uot;We won’t give up on any student,&uot; Knudtson said. &uot;No matter what it takes, we will try our best to give them every chance to pass it.&uot;

The most important thing for Knudtson is that scores did improve, and have done so gradually over the past few years.

&uot;When parents, teachers, grandparents, aunts, and uncles help with a student’s education. It does make a difference,&uot; she said. &uot;It does take a village to raise a child.&uot;