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Department of Education Releases Results From New Online Science Assessment

Department of Education Releases Results From New Online Science Assessment

Results highlight need to focus on Science, Technology,
Engineering and Math

Roseville - The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) released results from Minnesota’s inaugural online Science MCA-II. In 2008, approximately 39 percent of fifth-graders, 38 percent of eighth-graders and 43 percent of high school students are proficient on the Science MCA-II.

“Rigorous science education is central to our ability to prepare our students for future success in college and career,” Minnesota Education Commissioner Alice Seagren said. “These results underscore the need for Minnesota to continue with its efforts to improve science education.”

This spring, a total of 184,570 students in grades 5, 8 and high school took the Science MCA-II measuring student performance on Minnesota’s Academic Standards. The science standards define what students should know and be able to do in a particular grade and are developed in partnership with Minnesota educators. Each student earns a score 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 proficient.

Currently, results from the science assessment do not impact Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).

The Science MCA-II is interactive and allows students to simulate experiments online. Sample questions for the assessment can be downloaded at http://etest.pearson.com/customers/Minnesota/mn/mca2scienceitem.htm.

Minnesota is currently implementing several initiatives to improve student achievement, especially in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields. For example, the Math and Science Teacher Academy, which began this year, focuses on improving teacher effectiveness. In addition, Minnesota is in the process of revising its science standards that were created in 2003.

• Results are available on the Minnesota Department of Education Website

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