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Education Report Card Shows Less Racial Disparity In MN

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota's fourth and eighth graders scored at the top nationally in math and above the national average in reading in newly released national tests.

The National Assessment of Education Progress was released Thursday. Also known as the "Nation's Report Card," it shows Minnesota made progress in eliminating test score disparities between white and non-white students which has been a persistent problem in the state.

Gov. Mark Dayton and his education commissioner point out black fourth-grade students made sizable gains in math and reading scores over 2011. Black eighth-grade students did not post similar gains, and Dayton and Commissioner Brenda Cassellius say it shows the need for recent school-funding hikes by the Legislature.

Dayton and Cassellius say the gains by fourth-graders show the results of a greater emphasis on early learning.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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