In Wadena County, 59.4% of students failed the science portion of the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) test in the 2023-24 school year, according to the Minnesota Department of Education.
These students did not meet the required standards of the science portion of the MCA, compared to the 40.6% who did.
The number of Wadena County students who failed their science assessments fell by 19.4% from the previous school year.
The MCA and the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) are the state tests that help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota’s academic standards and also meet federal and state legislative requirements. The tests cover math, reading and science, depending on the grade that is being tested. Most students take the MCA, but students who receive special education services and meet eligibility requirements may take the MTAS instead.
Overall proficiency on Minnesota’s MCA exams has declined compared to pre-pandemic levels, according to Minnesota’s Report Card. Math proficiency, for example, dropped by more than 7% from 2019, while reading proficiency fell by almost 5%.
A student’s success or failure on the MCA does not impact their grades or their ability to graduate.
| School name | Students who did not meet standards (%) |
|---|---|
| Freshwater Education District Alternative Learning Center | 84.6% |
| Verndale Secondary School | 82.8% |
| Sebeka Secondary School | 69.3% |
| Menahga Elementary School | 61.7% |
| Verndale Elementary School | 58.1% |
| Menahga High School | 56.9% |
| Wadena-Deer Creek Senior High School | 52.3% |
| Sebeka Elementary School | 40.9% |
| Wadena-Deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade | 33.8% |
