Educational Successes
August 20, 2008
Minden Students Excel on Standardized Tests in 2007-08
The Minden Public Schools assess students’ academic abilities in several ways, one of which is national standardized tests like the ITBS, the PLAN, or the ACT. Scores from 2007-08 are among the highest ever achieved by Minden students, who performed well above state and national averages.
The ITBS, given in grades 3-8, assesses students in reading, language, math, social studies, and science. The charts below show the national percentile rank of Minden students.
East Elementary principal Mary Lieske said, “We are very proud of our third graders, especially because their ITBS scores are high in every area.” Principal John Osgood added, “The public must remember that standardized test scores are only one brush stroke in a student’s academic portrait. Nevertheless, we are extremely pleased that our students continue to do well when compared to other students across America.”
The PLAN is administered to all sophomores in the fall of each school year and assesses English, math, reading, and science. Mean scores in 2007-08 are the highest in the past five years in all four academic areas and more than 2 points above the national averages. The composite average for Minden was nearly 3 points above the national average. Jeffrey Horner, high school guidance counselor, said, “These high marks speak volumes to the quality of parents, patrons, students and staff of the Minden School District.”
Most Minden High students also take the ACT, which examines student abilities in English, math, reading, and science. Nebraska graduates in 2008 averaged 22.1 by contrast to the national average of 21.1. Nebraska students ranked first among states with 70% or more graduates taking the ACT.
Minden students averaged 23.6, above both state and national averages. Moreover, scores from the Class of 2008 were the highest in a five-year period in all four academic areas and on the composite. Although results in English, reading, and science are impressive, math scores are more than 2.0 higher than the Nebraska average for 2008. The ACT test is based on a 36 point scale.
In addition, the ACT group issues a local and state comparison indicating college readiness of recent graduates. Of Minden’s 2008 graduates taking the ACT, 49% were deemed ready for college coursework in all four areas assessed. This percentage is significantly higher than the 27% state average.
Don Hosick, new high school principal, praised students for their PLAN and ACT scores: “Minden has a strong academic tradition, and these outstanding scores confirm just how capable our students are.”
Dr. Melissa Wheelock, Minden superintendent, stated, “These results speak to the dedicated efforts put forth by our students, staff members, parents, and patrons. Few things bring me as much professional enjoyment as sharing with others the successes of our students and staff members.”
