Results of the math and reading portions of the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment II Tests (MCA II) were submitted to the New York Mills School Board by Superintendent Todd Cameron during the July 26 regular meeting of the board.
Overall, the district faired close to the state average (65.89 percent) of math proficiency with 61.18 percent.
Third graders were 76.59 percent proficient, compared to a state average of 82.84 percent. Fourth graders tested at 61.11 percent compared to a state average of 76.99 percent. Grade five saw a profi-ciency rate of 56.86 percent compared to a state average of 68.64 percent.
Test takers in grade six had a 62 percent proficiency rate, 68.96 percent is the state average. Seventh graders tested above the state average with 78.57 percent proficiency, the state average is 64.36 percent. Eighth graders tested at 40.81 percent compared to a state average of 58.55 percent. Grade 11 tested at 50 percent proficiency, compared to 43.27 statewide.
Among all grades tested for reading proficiency, NY Mills' students tested at 67.32 percent, compared to the state average of 72.34 percent.
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Third graders tested at 70.21 percent, compared to their statewide counterparts at 76.27 percent. Grade four tested at 61.11 percent, the state average is 72.51 percent. Among fifth grade students, Mills scored 74.50 percent proficient, compared to 76.38 percent statewide. Sixth grade students faired at 60 percent proficiency, compared to the state average of 71.61 percent. Seventh graders tested above the state av-erage of 66.07 percent proficiency with a score of 69.64 percent. Among eight grade test takers across the state who averaged 68.09 percent proficiency, Mills' students scored 59.18 percent. The tenth grade class concluded the reading results with 77.77 proficiency, compared to 75.34 statewide.
The only major point of concern for the district regarding MCA II testing were the scores for special needs students throughout the district. Though the results were below the districts goals, the board and Superintendent Cameron stated their goal of improvement for next school year.
Standardized testing among special needs students is one of the most controversial aspects of the No Child Left Behind Program and education experts agree the goal of 100 percent proficiency among special education students in any district throughout the state of Minnesota is highly unlikely.
Sale of aid
certificates approved
Because certain state aid expected by the district for the 2010-11 school year will not be received in time to meet necessary expenditures, the board unanimously approved a motion to borrow $2,045,000 in funds for next school year.
The move, enacted similarly by districts statewide, is a result of the Minnesota State Legislature and Governor Pawlenty's inability to compromise on an education bill during the recent legislative session.
Bid awards
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The board approved bids for bread, milk and gas/diesel for the 2010-11 school year. The winning bidders were the Bake Shoppe, Kemps and Cenex.
New hires and LOA
The board approved the hire of Luke Becker for agriculture education and FFA. Becker received his educational training at the University of Minnesota.
Heather Good was also hired for a one-year appointment. She will fill the shoes of English teacher Heidi Dresser who is taking a year-long leave of absence. Good attended Hamline University and was a 21st Century Literacy Teacher for Eighth grad-ers in Edina prior to coming to New York Mills.
A leave of absence was approved by the board for special education teacher Alissa Borman.
Special meeting
There will be a special meeting of the NY Mills School Board Monday, August 9 at 6 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be Monday, August 23 at 6 p.m.
