Results for first year test is across the board for area schools

Results for the first online MCA-II Science Tests given by the Minnesota Department of Education were recently released for each of the Pope County Schools. Glacial Hills Elementary School fifth graders exceeded the state proficiency average, while both Minnewaska Area Schools fifth grade, eighth grade, and high school students as well as Cyrus Math, Science, and Technology School fifth graders fell below the state proficiency average for the tests .

In all, 184,570 students in Minnesota took the MCA-II Science Test last spring. Each student who takes the test earns a score in one of four achievement levels: Does Not Meet Standards, Partially Meets Standards, Meets the Standards or Exceeds the Standards.

Students who meet or exced the standards are deemed proficient. Currently, the results from the science assessment do not impact Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).

More information about the MCA-II Tests can be found on the Minnesota Department of Education Web site.

Minnewaska

MAS students were fairly close to the state average in both eighth grade and high school.

In eighth grade, students finished just one percentage point under the state proficiency average with 37 percent of the 73 students earning a proficient mark. The state average was 38 percent.

High school students tested finished five percent under the state average finishing with a proficiency percentage of 38 percent. The state average was 43 percent.

In fifth grade, just 29 percent of the 72 students tested earned a proficient test score. The state average was 39 percent.

In the first year of science testing and using a new online formula, MAS Superintendant Greg Ohl said the test will be used as a benchmark for future years. Ohl said the school will then look for patterns in future tests to help gauge the success of both the students and staff.

GHES

Of the eight GHES fifth graders taking the MCA-II Science Test, 75 percent of the students were deemed as proficient. By contrast the state average was 39 percent.

GHES Director Dyanne Parsons said credit goes out to Fifth Grade Teacher Jason VanEngen for preparing the students for the tests. She said she was happy to see the high marks by students.

"I am very pleased with our science scores," she said.

Cyrus Math, Science, and Technology

With 10 fifth grade students taking the science test, 30 percent of CMST School fifth graders earned a proficient mark. The state average was 39 percent for fifth graders.