by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
Once again students in the Sartell-St. Stephen School District outperformed their statewide peers on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments tests.
The MCA tests measure proficiency standards in reading, math and science at the third- and eighth-grade levels throughout the state.
Students in Sartell schools who took the tests this past school year rated higher at all grade levels and in all three subjects (reading, math and science).
In Minnesota, the math and reading assessment tests are required of all students in grades three through eight. The science assessment is required in grades five through eight and in the high-school grades.
“We are proud our students continue to perform above state averages,” said Sartell-St. Stephen School Superintendent Jeff Schwiebert. “We celebrate that success, but also know these results provide us with valuable information to inform our instructional practices so we are meeting the needs of all learners.”
Schwiebert noted the MCA data, in combination with other local assessment information, assists teachers in designing curriculum that targets specific skills within reading, math and science, and engages students in critical thinking and real-world application of those skills.
Kay Nelson, assistant superintendent of learning services, also praised the MCA test results.
“We applaud our students and staff on this accomplishment,” she said. “We know the greatest impact on student achievement comes directly from committed teachers and the skilled instruction they carry out in their classrooms every day. The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments are rigorous measures of student achievement against required state standards, and we will continue to strive to provide our students instruction that is aligned and incorporates best practices.”
The following are the proficiency percentages for students in Sartell schools compared with scores of students statewide:
Reading
Sartell-St. Stephen: 70.7
Statewide: 59.7
Math
Sartell-St. Stephen: 75.8
Statewide: 59.4
Science
Sartell-St. Stephen: 68.2
Statewide: 54.7
Sartell-St. Stephen Superintendent Dr. Jeff Schwiebert
