ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota school children’s test scores in science have dropped significantly this year. Educators are not alarmed. They noted that students were measured for the first time on applying scientific methods rather than memorization. Business and industry had recommended the new standards, said Haley Kalina, president of the Minnesota Science Teachers Association. Questions now ask students to build their own hypotheses based on information. Kalina called the new data a “starting line.” The number of students demonstrating proficiency with the standards was 27% compared to 39% a year ago.
