Revealing school test scores said illegal

NORTHFIELD, Minn., Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Minnesota officials say a high school teacher who posted the names and test scores of high-achieving students broke the law.

The unnamed Northfield, Minn., teacher was cited in an advisory opinion by the Minnesota Department of Administration, which sided with a parent who objected to the students' names and grades being written on a blackboard, the (Minneapolis) Star Tribune reported Monday.

Charlie Kyte, executive director of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators, told the newspaper the ruling seems like an extreme interpretation of state law, which generally bans revealing students' class test grades without written permission.

"To be able to show students ... the best work in a class seems to be a good thing from my perspective," Kyte told the Star Tribune.

But retired calculus teacher Katy Hallberg disagreed, telling the newspaper, "I know a lot of teachers do it, but I think it's a real mistake," contending the practice puts undue pressure on test-takers and disrupts classroom team spirit.

Northfield Superintendent Chris Richardson said the state opinion is non-binding and will not lead to any penalties for the district or the teacher.