Razidlo sees some good, some room for concern in state tests

The Math and Reading MCA-II test scores are in, but it's too early to tell whether Brainerd's scores have been affected by larger class sizes this year, Brainerd Superintendent Steve Razidlo said Tuesday.

"We see some encouraging test results and some that make us feel some concern for the future," said Razidlo. "When we changed up the lives of 1,000 elementary students and 60-plus teaching staff, overall, we're impressed with the ability to stay at or above where we were in this state of transition. We experienced cuts that other districts didn't experience and we're thankful for the work from parents and staff."

Most test scores across the state increased or remained relatively steady in 2009, according to the Minnesota Department of Education, which released the results Wednesday. Brainerd students showed similar results.

The reading assessments are administered to third- through eighth-graders, as well as 10th-graders. The math assessments are given to third- through eighth-graders and 11th-graders.

On the MCA-IIs, 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 on the MCA-II are considered proficient.

This year the largest statewide increase was in 11th-grade math with a nearly 8 percent increase in proficiency.

Razidlo said Brainerd 10th-graders experienced a 10 percent increase in reading proficiency compared to last year, better than the state average. Brainerd 11th-graders also experienced a 10 percent increase in math proficiency but remain at the state average.

Razidlo said these increases may be attributed to multiple early interventions for struggling learners in place as early as two years before the students took these tests.

Razidlo said he has concerns about the 11th grade math MCA-II since, unlike the reading assessment in 10th grade, students may fail the test, take remediation and then fail it twice more before they are allowed to have that requirement waived as a graduation requirement.

Razidlo said his concerns are about the test itself, how it differs from other graduation requirements and whether students are motivated to do well.

"We'll have to wait and see, the Legislature may revisit it in its short session next year," Razidlo said about the 11th grade assessment.

Razidlo said administrators and staff will begin to analyze MCA-II test scores by classroom this fall to find out if larger class sizes played a factor. He said the $5.5 million in budget cuts last year and the uprooting of teachers in various grade levels was evident in the sixth-grade scores this year, he said.

Razidlo said 40 percent of sixth-grade teachers, or seven teachers, were new to the grade level this year and these students also had a new math curriculum, which may be why test scores decreased this year. This is an area where there needs to be further analysis, said Razidlo.

JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.