By Joanna Miller, Staff Writer 

The hypothesis that Minnesota students meet or exceed standards in science was put to the test this spring, and the results are in.

About 184,570 Minnesota students in grades 5, 8 and high school took the first-ever Science Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment – Series II (MCA-II) in 2008.

The conclusion for Prior Lake-Savage Area students was positive – the district topped statewide proficiency levels with 47 percent of fifth-graders, 49 percent of eighth-graders, and 73 percent of 10th-graders meeting or exceeding standards.

Statewide, 39 percent of fifth-graders, 38 percent of eighth-graders and 43 percent of high school students tested as proficient.

Mary Noel, new director of curriculum, instruction and assessment for the school district, said that the results “show we’re on the right track.”

Noel said although the students tested above state levels, the district will continue to strive for increased proficiency.

“They’ve done well. One-hundred percent is what you want to be at, but I’m not at all dismayed by these scores,” Noel said. “Staff and students should be proud of this.”

Noel said the high school students tested (10th graders, or other students, who have completed the life science coursework) showed the strength of the district’s science program.

“I believe the district has a solid science program,” she said.

In the test, students earn a score based on four achievement levels: Does Not Meet Standards, Partially Meets Standards, Meets the Standards, or Exceeds the Standards.

Overall, the Minnesota Department of Education said the general results “highlight [the] need to focus on science, technology, engineering and math.”

Scientific methods

Teachers may share teaching methods between schools in the coming year to reduce scoring gaps at the middle schools, as well as a range of scores between the district’s five elementary schools.

Individually, Twin Oaks Middle School and Grainwood Elementary School did not reach the statewide average for proficiency.

Hidden Oaks Middle School earned a 55-percent proficiency score, while Twin Oaks Middle School scored 15-percent lower with a 40-percent proficiency rate, Noel explained.

“We’d like to be closer,” she said. “We’ll see what they did differently.”

At the elementary level, Glendale topped the schools at 56 percent while Grainwood ended up at 37 percent, a 19-percent span.

The other schools fell into a closer range, with Five Hawks scoring 43 percent, WestWood at 47 percent and Jeffers Pond at 49 percent.

Noel said for the first testing year, the outcomes are positive.

“There’s room to grow,” Noel said. “I’m proud to be here and to be part of this district.”

The Science MCA-II test is a computer-based assessment. Currently, the scores are not used to calculate Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) other than for a participation ranking for the federal government’s No Child Left Behind Act.

Joanna Miller can be reached at (952) 345-6375 or jmiller@swpub.com. 

8th grade proficiency results

HOMS                              55%

TOMS                              40%

5th grade proficiency results

Five Hawks                     43%

Grainwood                      37%

Glendale                         56%

Jeffers Pond                    49%

WestWood                       47%