Students show some improvement on state science test

Here is the story from the Sun Post;

Students in grades 5, 8 and 10 showed improvement on the state science exam this year.However, the Robbinsdale District 281 average of 41 percent at all three grade levels fell below the statewide average of 49 percent.

Science MCA-II test scores for students in grades 5, 8 and 10 were released July 27 by the Minnesota Department of Education.
Statewide, the results showed “steady improvement over last year’s results,” according to a news release from the Minnesota Department of Education.

In Robbinsdale District 281, 38 percent of 5th-grade students met or exceeded the standards, compared to 37 percent last year. Statewide, 46 percent were proficient, compared to 45 percent in 2009.

In 8th grade, 38.8 percent of District 281 students met or exceeded standards, compared to 34 percent last year. Statewide, 48 percent were proficient, compared to 43 percent in 2009.

Forty-six percent of the 10th graders taking the test in District 281 met or exceeded standards, compared to 43 percent last year. Statewide, 51.8 percent were proficient, compared to 50 percent in 2009.

Statewide, encouraging gains were made in minority test results, according to the news release. They include a 5-percentage point gain by African American 8th-grade students, a 4-percentage point increase by Hispanic 8th-grade students, and a 3-percentage point increase by American Indian 8th-grade students.

In Robbinsdale District 281 schools, more students reached proficiency on the science test than last year, according to a news release from District 281.

“We are encouraged by the gains our students made,” Superintendent Aldo Sicoli said. “Thirty-eight percent of students in 5th grade scored at proficient levels, a one percentage point increase.

“Thirty-nine percent of 8th-grade students scored at proficient levels, up five percentage points.

“In 10-grade, 46 percent of students scored at proficient levels, up three percentage points.

“The proficiency rates for district 5th grade and high school African American, Hispanic American and Caucasian students were higher than those for their statewide counterparts. Eighth-grade Caucasian students also scored higher than their statewide counterparts.”

The district’s investment in its science curriculum “appears to have had a positive impact,” Sicoli said.

“We will further evaluate the results,” he said. “We know that we want to make greater improvements.”

A substantial gap continues to exist between the proficiency rate of Caucasian students and that of students of color, Sicoli said.

Each of the 178,500 Minnesota students who took the science test was scored in one of four achievement levels: does not meet standards, partially meets standards, meets the standards, or exceeds the standards.

Students who meet or exceed standards are considered proficient.

Results from the science assessment do not impact Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) at this time.

The percentage of students considered proficient at each of the 16 District 281 schools is as follows:

Elementary:

– Forest, Crystal: 35.1 this year; 32 in 2009

– Lakeview, Robbinsdale: 27.6 this year; 33 in 2009

– Meadow Lake, New Hope: 21 this year; 23 in 2009

– Neill, Crystal: 40.7 this year; 40 in 2009

– Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion School, New Hope: 52.8 this year; 50 in 2009

– Noble, Golden Valley: 34.7 this year; 35 in 2009

– Northport, Brooklyn Center: 16.2 this year; 19 in 2009

– Sonnesyn, New Hope: 43.8 this year; 30 in 2009

– Zachary Lane, Plymouth: 59.1 this year; 64 in 2009

Middle school:

– Plymouth: 39.5 this year; 37 in 2009

– Robbinsdale: 38.1 this year; 21 in 2009

High school:

– Armstrong, Plymouth: 56.7 this year; 53 in 2009

– Cooper, New Hope: 33 this year;  33 in 2009

More information: 763-504-8032 (Gayle Walkowiak).

Well, this is good news that the scores went up but 41% of our kids passing means 59% failed.  Those results are still unacceptable.