Minnesota Test Scores Nearly Flat as State Weighs Changes to Testing

(KNSI) — Minnesota students’ test scores were stable this year, according to the Minnesota Department of Education.

On the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments given last spring, nearly 45% of students met math standards and just over 25% met science standards. A new reading test found nearly 49% of students met grade-level standards. Because the reading test is new, its results start a new trend line and don’t have earlier years to compare against.

Locally, St. Cloud Area School District 742 showed that 24.9% of students met math standards, essentially unchanged from 24.8% last year and down from 28.0% in 2022. In science, 14.8% were proficient, compared with 15.7% a year ago. On the new reading test, 31.0% met standards. All three are below the statewide rates.

Sartell-St. Stephen School District showed that 64.0% of students met math standards, down slightly from 64.5% last year and from a high of 66.0% in 2024. In science, 33.2% were proficient, compared with 34.3% a year ago. On the new reading test, 59.8% met standards. All three are above the statewide rates.

Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools showed that 35.0% of students met math standards, down from 35.6% last year and from 43.2% in 2022. In science, 17.1% were proficient, compared with 21.4% a year ago. On the new reading test, 43.8% met standards. All three are below the statewide rates.

The department also reiterated Wednesday its plan, first announced September 24th, to convene a 28-member task force of educators, school leaders, parents, students and advocates to review the state’s testing and assessment framework.

Education Minnesota supports the review. Union president Monica Byron says the tests “provide almost no instructional value, especially when we’re getting data about last year’s students a month into the new school year.”

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