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Schools

Richfield Fifth-Graders Proficient in Science Nearly Doubles in 2011

The Minnesota Department of Education's MCA-II tests revealed good news for the district and its students.

The percentage of fifth-grade students in Richfield scoring proficient on the most recent Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) II tests in science nearly doubled between 2010 and 2011, vaulting from 16 percent proficiency in 2010 to 31 percent in 2011. The test’s results were released by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Friday and revealed that Richfield fifth-graders made gains for all student demographic groups.

The Results

In addition to the 15 percent increase in fifth-grade science proficiency, (RPS) also saw a four percent rise in high school students scoring proficient on the exam, moving from 31 to 35 percent proficiency.

In a press release RPS Chief of Staff Kate Foate Trewick said: “Strategic staff development, units of study developed by Richfield teachers and a resurgence of science as critical learning at the elementary level is paying off for our students.”

Test scores revealed that double-digit gains were made by Richfield fifth-graders in all demographic groups tracked by the state. In addition to overall gains, fifth-grade students counted as in poverty, Asian, black, white, male and female all made double-digit advances in proficiency.

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The district’s eighth-grade students mirrored a statewide trend with the four percent decline (from 34 to 30 percent) in proficiency; eighth-grade students across Minnesota fell from 48 to 44 percent proficiency between 2010 and 2011. The percentage of fifth-grade students scoring proficient on the test remained flat between 2010 and 2011.

How Testing is Conducted and How it's Used

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In Grades 5 and 8 the test assesses scientific knowledge in four categories which include the history and nature of science, physical science, earth and space science and life science. The high school test assesses the history and nature of science and life science.

Tests in reading, math and science are used by all states to measure whether schools and districts are meeting the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), originally established in 1965.

As part of the more recent , schools are required to meet Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) standards, a level of achievement on statewide tests. The MCA-II in science is required by ESEA, but the test’s scores are not used to determine a school’s AYP.

The current MCA-II test is based on academic standards devised by the state in 2003, and will be phased out after this year. Beginning in 2012 the MDE will implement the MCA-III, which will be based on revised academic standards devised in 2009.

Other Statistics

•    54% of white students in fifth-grade tested proficient, tying the state average for that group;
•    28% of black students in Richfield tested proficient, outdistancing the state’s 19% average for that group;
•    Richfield eighth-graders increased proficiency for males, special education and EL (English language) students.

In addition, while the district mostly improved its test scores, as a whole it was still behind state averages. As a state Minnesota averaged 47 percent proficiency on the test by fifth-grade students, 45 percent proficiency by eighth graders and 54 percent proficiency by high school students.

“We know that there is much more to accomplish," Trewick Said. "[But], Richfield has the talent to meet that challenge."

The district hopes to continue funding comprehensive professional development programs through grants with institutions that include the r, the Science Museum of Minnesota, the University of Minnesota, St. Catherine University and The Works.

“We are proud of our students and staff. Richfield is a district second to none. Our scores must and will continue to improve,” said RPS when the scores were released.

Those interested in knowing more about the MCA-II test scores may visit the Minnesota Department of Educations’s website.

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