Waconia Public Schools saw an overall increase in math proficiency rates when the Minnesota Department of Education released 2022-23 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) data on Thursday, August 23. Districtwide proficiency rates remained well above state averages in all three subject areas – math, reading, and science.
The District’s overall proficiency rate in math jumped from 61.7% in 2021-22 to 64.4% in 2022-23, and remains well above the state average of 45.5%. Four of the District’s five schools saw an increase in their math proficiency rates, including Waconia High School which saw an increase of more than 12%.
The District’s proficiency rate in reading dipped slightly from 63.3% in 2021-22 to 61.7% in 2022-23, but remains well above the state average of 49.9%. The District’s overall proficiency rate in science also remains above the state average.
It’s noteworthy that the District’s overall proficiency rates continue to be negatively affected by increased opt-out rates, particularly at the High School level. In 2022-23, 105 high school students opted out of the MCA Math test, while an additional 56 high school students opted out of the MCA Reading test. When a student opts-out of an MCA test, the state records that student as “does not meet standards,” which ultimately brings a District’s overall proficiency rate down.
“As is the case anytime we look at student assessment data, there are things to celebrate and opportunities for improvement,” Superintendent Brian Gersich said. “The overall increase in math proficiency rates is encouraging, and we are already in the process of some curricular changes through our curriculum review process that we think will help improve our science scores in the future.”
More detailed information about the District’s MCA results can be found on the Minnesota Department of Education website at education.mn.gov.