Apple Valley-Eagan-Rosemount Students Beat the State Grade on Standardized Testing

Following last week's new about success on college entrance exams, the folks at District 196, which includes schools in Apple Valley, Eagan and Rosemount, are smiling again after getting positive returns on the state's annual assessment exams. 

According to the District, south metro students continued to "beat the state average" in math, science and English scores via the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment tests (MCA), which are now on their third revision. 

Here's more, via the District 196 staff: 

The percentage of District 196 students who scored proficient on state reading, math and science tests exceeded statewide averages for all grades tested in spring 2013, according to results of the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) released by the Minnesota Department of Education Aug. 27.

The MCAs are given annually in reading (grades 3-8 and 10) math (grades 3-8 and 11) and science (grades 5, 8 and high school, after completion of the life science curriculum). 

More than 13,000 District 196 students took the MCAs last spring. Results for individual students will be mailed to parents this fall.

 The MCAs measure student performance on the Minnesota Academic Standards, which define what students should know and be able to do in a particular grade. Students earn a score that falls into one of four achievement levels: 1) does not meet the standards; 2) partially meets the standards; 3) meets the standards, and 4) exceeds the standards. Students who meet or exceed the standards are considered to be proficient in the subject area.

Compared to 2012 results, the percentage of District 196 students who scored proficient in math decreased by 1 percent for grade 3, increased by 1 percent for grade 4, stayed the same for grade 5, increased by 2 percent for grade 6, increased by 6 percent for grade 7, decreased by 2 percent for grade 8 and increased by 14 percent for grade 11.

In science, the percentage of District 196 students who scored proficient increased by 6 percent for grade 5, increased by 5 percent for grade 8 and increased by less than 1 percent for high school. 

The MCA reading test given in 2013 was new, based on more challenging standards, and does not provide a useful comparison to the test given in 2012, the district said.

2013 MCA Reading – Percentage of Students Proficient or Better

Grade             3          4          5          6          7          8      10

District 196    64       63       74       67       65       65       75

Statewide       57       54       64       59       54       54       62

Difference      +7       +9       +10     +8       +11     +11     +13

2013 MCA Math – Percentage of Students Proficient or Better

Grade              3          4          5          6          7          8     11

District 196    76       77       68       66       67       63       68

Statewide       71       71       60       57       56       59       52

Difference      +5       +6       +8       +9       +11     +4       +16

2013 MCA Science

Percentage of Students Proficient or Better 

Grade              5          8          High School

District 196    66       51       68

Statewide       60       44       53

Difference      +6       +7       +15