By Tom Weber, Minnesota Public Radio News

Minnesota students continued to score higher on the state’s standardized Science test this year.

Although the test is only in its third year, the number of students who scored well enough to be considered proficient in science grew by 10 percent this year over the 2008 scores.

This science test stands out in two ways. Because students take the test using a computer, there are no ovals to fill in with a number two pencil.

Second, the test doesn’t count towards graduation. Schools where students perform poorly do not face sanctions as they do for math and reading under the federal No Child Left Behind law.

That’s significant, state Education Commissioner Alice Seagren said.

“With no punishment, we’re still making nice progress,” Seagren said. “I think part of it is attitude. I think our science teachers are so committed to their discipline that they feel it’s really important for kids to take it seriously.”

Read this story at Minnesota.PublicRadio.org