by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
Once again, students in Sartell schools surpassed their state peers on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment tests.
Sartell students in grades 3-12 met or exceeded testing standards in all testing categories, and in many categories exceeded the state averages by as much as 10 to 30 percent.
Each year, the MCA is given to students in grades 3-8 and at the high-school level. Those students are testing for reading and math. In addition, science tests are given to fifth-graders and to students in grades 8-12. The tests were taken last year.
“Our students continue to perform above state averages in all categories,” said Sartell-St. Stephen School District Superintendent Dr. Jeff Schwiebert. “As a district, we will use this data to inform our instruction as we build upon our successes and strive to make growth in our areas of needed improvement.”
Data from the MCAs are added to other testing assessments to help teachers fine-tune teaching to strengthen all learners, Schwiebert noted. MCA scores are also used to help determine adequate yearly progress for school district’s compliance with the No Child Left Behind Act.
Kay Nelson, director of learning services, said she is proud of the students in the district. The district’s focus on professional development and instruction improvements paid off, as the scores show, she added. Nelson said the district would continue to work even harder to ensure all children are learning up to and beyond standards.
The following are the percentages of Sartell students who met or exceeded MCA test standards, followed by the state averages:
Reading: Grade 3: 71.3 percent (state average 58.7); Grade 4: 68.9 (57.9); Grade 5: 69.9 (66.7); Grade 6: 77.8 (63.9); Grade 7: 72.9 (55.6); Grade 8: 74.1 (56.0); High School: 66.0 (57.0); and District-wide: 71.6 (59.4).
Math: Grade 3: 82.3 (70.9); Grade 4: 75.9 (70.0); Grade 5: 68.5 (59.7); Grade 6: 79.1 (57.6); Grade 7: 82.7 (55.1); Grade 8: 87.5 (57.8); High School: 65.7 (48.7); and District-wide: 77.8 (60.2).
Science: Grade 3: not given; Grade 4: not given; Grade 5: 67.8 (59.1); Grade 6: not given; Grade 7: not given; Grade 8: 67.3 (45.3); High School: 74.1 (54.6); and District-wide: 69.5 (53.0).
