Two dozen Minn. schools reduce achievement gaps

State education officials are upgrading the status of more than two dozen schools that have improved test scores and reduced achievement gaps.

New accountability ratings released Tuesday show 17 schools will no longer carry the lowest-performing "priority school" label. Another 10 schools were removed from the so-called "focus" list of schools struggling with wide performance disparities among student racial groups.

Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius said the significant growth shown in this year's Multiple Measurement Ratings is the result of smart policies and practices.

"When teachers get help with their practice and they get the right kind of support and we resource them adequately and we invest in their development, kids do better," Cassellius said. "That's what's so exciting to see."

The rating system applies only to schools receiving federal Title I funds. Those schools have high concentrations of low income students. Roughly half the state's schools receive Title 1 money.