As writers, Minnesota eighth-graders are improving, but they're still just a bit better than average when compared with their counterparts in other states.

Latest writing test scores, released Thursday by the National Center for Education Statistics, showed that Minnesota posted better scores than 18 states, statistically similar scores to 17 states and lower scores than 10 states. Forty-five states and the District of Columbia participated in the state-by-state, eighth-grade score comparisons.

The tests, part of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), showed improved scores from the last time Minnesota eighth-graders took the NAEP writing test, in 1998. In 2007, for instance, 31 percent of the students taking the test received scores considered to be proficient. In 1998, only 24 percent scored proficient.

Also, the percentage of students who tallied the poorest scores dropped from 17 percent in 1998 to 11 percent in 2007.

Despite the improvement, Minnesota Education Commissioner Alice Seagren said that more work needs to be done.

"These test scores show we are making progress to improve our students' writing skills," Seagren said in a prepared statement. "Yet, if Minnesota is going to prepare its students to compete globally, we have to do better than average nationally." Seagren said the department plans to toughen academic standards in writing next year.

New Jersey eighth-graders scored the highest, posting a 175 average score. The national average was 154. Minnesota's average score was 156.

Test data were also compiled on a national level for 12th-graders. Nationally, test results for both eighth- and 12th-graders improved significantly. In Minnesota, 2,800 eighth-graders from 140 schools were tested.

School participation in the NAEP tests is voluntary.

In the test, students performed two writing tasks meant to measure narrative, informative or persuasive writing talents.

NAEP tests have been administered periodically over the past 30 years in such subjects as reading, math, science and U.S. history.

Norman Draper • 612-673-4547