Minn. students show little improvement on science test

The Minnesota Department of Education released results Friday from the latest Minnesota Academic Standards Science test showing little improvement in students' scores.

The results from about 180,000 students in grades 5, 8 and high school show that while performance among some groups has improved, overall there's been little change.

The test results also show a wide gap in the performance of white students as compared to minority students. That mirrors results from the past.

Minnesota Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius said the test results show the state needs to be doing something differently.

"This is not an indictment against our teachers; teachers are working really hard," she said. "What they need are the tools and support and adequate funding."

Cassellius said science is important to the state's economic future. She said she's talked to local corporations about how a better scientific education for the state's students would lead to more jobs in Minnesota.