“Even if it is the highest in the area, 50 percent is not a standard to be proud of,” he said. “I think the low numbers are saying something about the test students are taking.”

In Mankato, math scores are otherwise on the rise. Sixth-graders jumped from 64.8 percent proficiency in 2005-06 to 70.5 this year. Seventh-graders increased from 65.4 in 2005-06 to 73.66 this year while eighth-graders went from 54.2 to 61.1

Reading scores, however, have either flatlined or decreased in the past three years. But Amoroso said she expects the scores to swing upward as the district’s new reading program takes hold.

In the Mankato district alone, educators adopted a new elementary reading curriculum three years ago, a new math curriculum five years ago and, in the last few years, a host of early intervention programs and student improvement strategies aimed at improving math and reading proficiency.

Also, staff development programs such as the district’s Professional Learning Communities — now in its third year — and the implementation of a math coach for elementary teachers are aimed at boosting student achievement.

“We’ve asked a lot of our staff during the last few years while we were trying to implement new programs and achievement strategies,” Amoroso said. “They really deserve to be commended.”

Similar achievement efforts are being reproduced in districts around the state. Professional Learning Communities are becoming standard practice and so are early intervention strategies for struggling students, especially in reading and math.

And while all the programs designed to boost student achievement can’t hurt, Olson said all the testing might.

“Kids are getting tested to death,” he said. “We can’t forget to strike some sort of balance.”