Minneota rates high on MCA scores

When the statewide results of the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) overview were available, Minneota Public School administrators couldn’t have been more pleased.
“We have a long-standing history of strong state assessment results, and we pride ourselves on solid academics and challenging students to do their best,” Superintendent Scott Monson, High School Principal Heather Anderson. and Elementary Principal Trent Johnson, said collaboratively. “Overall, there is truly a lot to be happy about and proud of, especially our students, staff and families.”
MCA is a statewide annual test that measures achievement on the Minnesota Academic Standards in reading, mathematics and science.
Students were tested in March and April of 2023 for the 2022-2023 school year.
Although the entire state rankings have yet to be completed, Minneota students were well above the state averages. In a comparison with same-grade peers, Minneota students finished 10.8% above the state average in Reading, 18.7% above the state average in Mathematics, and 17.4% above the state average in Science.
“Because there are several variables from one year to the next, a comparison that we put a great deal of stock in is how did our students do compared to their same-grade peers in the state,” school administrators said.Locally, the results for the Minnesota River Valley, which is made up of nine school districts, including Minneota, also reveals Minneota students performing well.
The River Valley school districts include Benson, Dawson-Boyd, Lac qui Parle Valley, Lakeview, Minneota, Montevideo, Ortonville, Renville County West, and Yellow Medicine East.
Mathematics was tested for grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 11. Reading was tested for grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10. Science was tested for grades 5, 8 and high school.
The Minnesota River Valley results for Math showed Minneota finishing first in five of the seven grades, and second and third in the other two. In Reading, Minneota finished first in three of the seven grades, while also finishing second in three grades. And In Science, Minneota finished first in all three of the grades.
In all grades combined, Minneota students finished first in all three proficiency tests among Minnesota River Valley school districts.
“The 2023 positive assessment results that our students achieved are truly a reflection of a team effort by our students, our families, and our staff, all whom play important roles in the 2023 state assessment results,” said the school administrators. “These results start with our students doing their best, but we are fortunate to have such outstanding staff members and great parent involvement and support.
“Because there are several variables from one year to the next, a comparison that we put a great deal of stock in is how did our students do compared to their same-grade peers in the state.”
School administrators and staff members realize that these results are very important, but not the only measure of how well a school district’s students and staff are performing.
“We also pay attention to student engagement, graduation rates, student perceptions of feeling safe and secure, attendance rates, the number of post-secondary credits earned while in high school, and ACT scores,” administrators noted. “We recognize that ‘good enough’ isn’t really good enough. Our students and families depend on us to maintain high expectations. As positive as last year’s assessment results are, we won’t settle and will continue to find ways to grow and improve.”