Minnesota schools prepare for tougher reading test (AP) — Schools across Minnesota are gearing up for a tougher reading test this spring, an exam that will reflect new literacy standards the state adopted as part of a national initiative called Common Core. "Not only are the new standards much higher, but the demands of the test are huge," said Teajai Anderson Schmidt, the literacy program manager for St. Paul Public Schools. A key change for many educators has been the new focus on "informational text" — scientific articles, speeches, essays, video and social media. On a recent ... Read More