Schools
Northfield Students Do Well on MCA Reading Exams, Falter on Math
Sixteen of 21 groups tested for reading in Northfield area schools bested the state proficiency level. In math, however, 12 of the 21 Northfield groups missed the state average of their counterparts.
Northfield schools received mixed marks on spring state exams testing students in math and reading proficiency, according data released Wednesday by the Minnesota Department of Education.
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments, given annually to the state's third- through eighth-graders in reading and math, and to high school sophomores (reading) and juniors (math), measures students' understanding of the relevant math and reading curriculum through their respective grades.
Sixteen of 21 groups tested for reading in Northfield area schools bested the state proficiency level. Those schools include , , , , , and . (Full results below)
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In math, however, 12 of the 21 Northfield groups missed the state average of their counterparts. (Full results below)
This year, students—excluding juniors—took rigorous new math assessments aligned to higher standards for the first time.
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“We continue to set the bar high for Minnesota students with tougher new standards, and to improve the ways in which we help children master them,” said Minnesota Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius. “... However, these results also show us we have some work to do to ensure all of our kids are well prepared for success in a competitive global economy.”
This year, 74 percent of the students in grades 3-8 took the MCA online.
“This year’s test will set a baseline for us to measure our improvement over the next several years,” Cassellius said. “Just as we have with 11th grade math scores and grades 3–8 MCA II reading scores, we believe we’ll continue to see continued gains in student mastery of the new rigorous standards.”
The Department of Education last month released MCA Science scores, on which Northfield also . Unlike the math and reading exams, the science scores don't count toward Adequate Yearly Progress, which requires districts to meet specific goals under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
The release of AYP reports are currently on hold pending the U.S. Department of Education’s ruling on Minnesota’s No Child Left Behind waiver request, according to the MDE.
MCA-II/III Math Results*
School Grade D P M E 2011Proficiency 2011
State 2010
Proficiency NHS 11 18.2 15.8 30.9 35.1 66 48.6 75 ALC 11 82.4 5.9 11.8 0 11.8 48.6 N/A ARTech 11 30 30 30 10 40 48.6 41 8 14.3 35.7 35.7 14.3 50 53.2 63 7 25 25 37.5 12.5 50 51.7 66 6 33.3 38.9 11.1 16.7 27.8 50.3 62 NMS 8 17.9 24.6 35.1 22.5 57.6 53.2 76 7 10.5 32.8 33.4 23.3 56.7 51.7 75 6 13.3 26.2 39.8 20.7 60.5 50.3 74 GPES 5 22.4 32.9 32.9 11.8 44.7 53.6 85 4 14.9 19.1 36.2 29.8 66 67.2 86 3 18.9 13.5 40.5 27 67.5 70.1 N/A BES 5 11.7 14.3 45.5 28.6 74.1 53.6 89 4 9.4 5.2 45.8 39.6 85.4 67.2 87 3 11.5 27.6 47.1 13.8 60.9 70.1 N/A SES 5 12.7 27.8 39.2 20.3 59.5 53.6 68 4 14.4 20.2 29.8 35.6 65.4 67.2 92 3 9.5 21.1 43.2 26.3 69.5 70.1 N/A STEM 7 33.3 41.7 8.3 16.7 25 51.7 N/A 6 36.4 36.4 13.6 13.6 27.2 50.3 77 5 31.8 40.9 22.7 4.5 27.2 53.6 67 4 18.2 22.7 40.9 18.2 59.1 67.2 72 3 5 0 50 45 95 70.1 N/A PCCS 5 26.7 33.3 36.7 3.3 40 53.6 55 4 30 16.7 36.7 16.7 53.4 67.2 74 3 9.7 19.4 48.4 22.6 71 70.1 N/A
MCA-II Reading Results*
Proficiency 2011
State 2010
Proficiency
NHS 10 6.7 10.8 34.3 48.3 82.6 75.3 78 ALC 10 42.9 28.6 28.6 0 28.6 75.3 N/A ARTech 10 0 8.7 30.4 60.9 91.3 75.3 N/A 8 6.7 6.7 13.3 73.3 86.6 68.1 88 7 0 6.3 18.8 75 93.8 69.6 85 6 5.9 23.5 47.1 23.5 70.6 75.1 100 NMS 8 17.1 15.7 28.9 38.3 67.2 68.1 75 7 10.8 15.7 24 49.5 73.5 69.6 83 6 3.7 11.2 29.9 55.1 85 75.1 72 GPES 5 9.4 11.8 32.9 45.9 78.8 80.3 87 4 5.3 13.8 27.7 53.2 80.9 75.2 81 3 16.2 9.5 23 51.4 74.4 78.5 N/A BES 5 1.3 5.2 32.5 61 93.5 80.3 84 4 7.3 13.5 31.3 47.9 79.2 75.2 87 3 12.6 4.6 36.8 46 82.8 78.5 N/A SES 5 2.6 1.3 42.9 53.2 96.1 80.3 81 4 2 13.7 30.4 53.9 84.3 75.2 91 3 8.4 6.3 22.1 63.2 85.3 78.5 N/A STEM 7 8.3 41.7 41.7 8.3 50 69.6 N/A 6 13 30.4 26.1 30.4 56.5 75.1 92 5 9.1 13.6 54.5 22.7 77.2 80.3 89 4 9.1 0 50 40.9 90.0 75.2 67 3 0 5 10 85 95 78.5 N/A PCCS 5 0 6.7 30 63.3 93.3 80.3 76 4 3.3 16.7 16.7 63.3 80 75.2 97 3 9.7 3.2 25.8 61.3 87.1 78.5 N/A
* In percentages, rounded to the nearest tenth.
Key
D=Did not meet expectations; P=Partially meets expectations; M=Meets expectations; E=Exceeds expectations
NHS=Northfield High School; NMS=Northfield Middle School; ALC=Area Learning Center; GPES=Greenvale Park Elementary School; BES=Bridgewater Elementary School; SES=Sibley Elementary School; STEM=Cannon River STEM School; PCCS=Prairie Creek Community School
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