LOW TEST SCORES RAISE QUESTIONS ABOUT DELAYED RELEASE

11/15/2006

ST. PAUL (11/15/06) – Today’s release of the 2006 results of the state tests in math and reading showed a significant downturn in test scores. Students deemed proficient in math declined 18% and students deemed proficient in reading declined seven percent. The test scores are normally released during the State Fair in late August but were delayed by the Pawlenty administration until after the election.

“Despite the Pawlenty administration’s half-hearted claims to the contrary, it’s pretty clear why they delayed the release until after the election,” Minnesota DFL Chair Brian Melendez said. “The legislature enacted higher standards and the tests were more difficult this year, so it’s difficult to compare these results to previous years. But Tim Pawlenty’s ambition got the best of him. The scores muddied his re-election message so he delayed their release. It’s par for the course for this governor – everything’s political, nothing is sacred. Not even our children’s education.”