Albert Lea students did not have drastic changes in proficiency in reading or math based on Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment test results released today.

The district saw a slight decrease — of about 1.5 percent — in reading scores and an increase of about 3 percent in math scores. Superintendent Mike Funk said the school board will review the results at its next meeting on Monday.

“The board will be examining both student growth and proficiency and begin to establish targets for both,” Funk said.

A year ago schools started a new math test, the MCA-III, and had to establish baseline scores from the 2010-11 school year. The latest results, from 2011-12, are being compared to those findings. Albert Lea’s 3 percent increase in math did not match the statewide 7 percent increase in proficiency in math.

“Though our MCA results are relatively flat this year, I am confident that we are beginning to implement consistent approaches to instruction and assessment that will have a significant impact on our education system over the next year or two,” Funk said.

Across the state scores are up for grades third- through eighth-grade in math. In the state reading also saw an overall gain, while 11th-grade math declined. Students in third- through eighth-grade took the MCA test online, and the state department of education anticipated better proficiency ratings. Those tests also provided immediate feedback to teachers so they could make real-time adjustments to lessons.

In a few weeks the Minnesota Department of Education will release Multiple Measurement Ratings, or MMR, which are a new way of scoring. Baseline scores were released in May. MMR data comprises proficiency, student growth, achievement gap reduction and graduation rates for individual schools in each of the state’s districts.

“These data points will also be used to guide our focus as we prepare to meet the needs of all learners in the 2012-13 school year,” Funk said.

The district will also see federal Adequate Yearly Progress results for individual schools in the next month.