TEST SCORES LEAVE A SKEPTICAL PUBLIC

Missouri's State Board of Education approved new tests for reading, writing and science that officials say are so difficult most students couldn't score at the proficient level. Nearly 97 percent of high school sophomores are below proficiency in science. For seventh graders, the figure is 91 percent. The best science scores were for sixth graders, but still 65 percent are below proficiency.

This suggests that the longer a student stays in school, the worse his or her performance will be -- at least in science. Education commissioner Bob Bartman doesn't seem concerned. "I think students will work up to expectations," Bartman said. "It's also going to require teachers to teach differently."

Bartman and other education officials stress that the tests require students to demonstrate and apply their knowledge of science, reading and math instead of regurgitating rote memorization. Perhaps.

Missourians continue to watch in amazement as the incredibly expensive process of remaking our schools unfolds before us all. The educrats have their work before them, and a skeptical public to persuade.