ND Superintendent of Public Instruction defends low proficiency rates

FARGO (KVRR-KFGO) — North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction Levi Bachmeier says North Dakota’s low proficiency rates in public school testing is because of higher standards. Republican Charles Tuttle, who is running against Bachmeier for the superintendent position in this year’s election, has criticized the low scores. Bachmeier says he’s not interested in lowering testing standards

“I’m never gonna put my finger on the scales and move those cut scores, just try to get a number to make schools look better, that’s not fair to our teachers, not fair to our students, not fair to our communities.”  Bachmeier said.

Bachmeier added that North Dakota expects more students than other states to be labeled proficient.

“You’re qualifying for state if you’re proficient in North Dakota, lot of other states you’re just making the varsity squad, so we’ve got high expectations and whether the number’s 40, 50, 60, people have to understand that is relative to the decision’s that we are making here.” Bachmeier said.

Grand Forks educator Tracy Layne Foss is also running for the superintendent position.

Bachmeier was appointed to the position last fall after former superintendent Kirsten Baesler left to join the U.S. Department of Education.

Bachmeier made his comments on KFGO News and Views with Joel Heitkamp.