We often hear about public school challenges and controversy, but here's some good end-of-the-year news. Working together, Cargill and a group of eight Minneapolis public charter schools have been able to produce significant progress in student reading proficiency.

Over the last year, these schools showed an 8.8 percent gain in the number of students who are reading at a proficient level, compared with a statewide average increase of 2.3 percent.

The participating schools enroll a much higher percentage of low-income students, limited-English-speaking students and students of color than the state's average. Project LEAD for charter schools is part of a seven-year commitment Cargill has made.

The company has provided an executive "coach" for each school leader, along with $30,000 in cash, and technical assistance from LarsonAllen and the Center for School Change, where I work.

Participating schools also have had opportunities to visit and learn from representatives of some of the nation's most effective inner-city public schools -- district and charter.

Perhaps most important, faculty and families at each of the schools believe that significant progress is possible. Project LEAD has set a goal of at least 10 percent gains per year over the next two years in reading and math proficiency.

There's no single strategy that will eliminate achievement gaps. We're using a combination of commitment, creativity, hard work, partnership and "best practices" that others have developed.

Here, as elsewhere, we're learning that achievement gaps can be reduced, and in many cases, eliminated.

JOE NATHAN; DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR SCHOOL CHANGE, MACALESTER COLLEGE