Schools did have improvement

Albert Lea public elementary and middle schools are trailing state science scores, while Albert Lea High School is just above state averages. Though some schools are behind state averages, all scores improved over 2009 scores.
“The science test results have increased but are still not satisfactory,” Superintendent Mike Funk said. “These results clearly indicate a need to change our approach.”
The scores are from the science MCA-II test given to fifth graders, eighth graders and high schoolers. The four categories a student’s scores could fall into are: does not meet standards, partially meets standards, meets standards or exceeds standards. Only meets standards and exceeds standards qualify for proficient in science.
“These tests are not a complete reflection of the abilities of our teachers or students,” Funk said. “As a district we need to do a better job of educating the whole child.”
About 39 percent of Albert Lea fifth graders were proficient in science, compared to the state average of 46 percent. In 2009, 37.5 percent of fifth graders in Albert Lea were proficient.
For eighth graders, about 38 percent were proficient versus the state average of about 48 percent proficient. In 2009, 30.4 were proficient. That means 8 percent more eighth graders improved over 2009 results.
For high schoolers in Albert Lea, about 55 percent were proficient, which is higher than the state average of about 52 percent. In 2009, 44.7 percent of Albert Lea high schoolers were proficient, which is an increase of about 10 percent more students being proficient in 2010.
This is the third year the test has been administered, and the results from the 2010 test were available Tuesday. As a state, scores increased from 1 to 5 percent. The test is administered online and results are released by the Minnesota Department of Education.