Each year, Minnesota releases the results of its Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) tests, providing a snapshot of student learning across the state. While these scores are a key tool for educators and policymakers, they can often be confusing for parents trying to understand their child's individual progress.
This guide breaks down what the MCAs are, how they are used, and what the latest results mean for students in districts like St. Paul Public Schools. It also offers insights from education experts on how parents can best interpret and use this information to support their children's academic journey.
Key Takeaways
- The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) are annual tests designed to measure how well schools are teaching state academic standards.
- Statewide proficiency rates for the 2024-2025 school year were 45.2% in math and 49.6% in reading, showing little change from the previous year.
- Experts advise parents to view MCA results as one of many data points, alongside classroom performance and teacher feedback.
- The scores are primarily used as a "system check" for schools and districts, not as a detailed diagnostic tool for individual students.
- Parents can use the results to start conversations with teachers about their child's strengths and areas needing more support.
What Are the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments?
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments, or MCAs, are standardized tests administered annually to students across the state. They are designed to evaluate student learning based on Minnesota's academic standards for specific grade levels.
Students in grades three through eight take the MCA tests in reading and math. High school students take each test once. Science tests are administered in fifth grade, eighth grade, and once during high school. For students with significant cognitive disabilities, an alternate assessment called the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) is provided.
A System-Level Evaluation
State education officials emphasize that the primary purpose of the MCAs is to serve as a "system check." The data collected helps evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum and instruction at the school, district, and state levels. It is not designed to be the sole measure of an individual student's abilities or knowledge.
Schools and districts use this aggregate data to identify trends, pinpoint areas where curriculum may need improvement, and direct resources to schools that require additional support. Teachers can also analyze results to see which teaching methods are most effective for certain concepts.
Recent Statewide and Local Performance Data
The recently released scores from the 2024-2025 school year indicate that student proficiency levels in Minnesota have remained largely stable. Statewide, performance showed a slight decrease compared to the prior year.
- Math Proficiency: 45.2% of students met or exceeded state standards.
- Reading Proficiency: 49.6% of students met or exceeded state standards.
Science assessment results for the new academic standards are expected to be released later in the fall.
A Look at St. Paul Public Schools
In the St. Paul Public Schools (SPPS) district, students showed a minor improvement in their overall scores compared to the previous year. The district's proficiency rates were:
- Math Proficiency: 26.6% of students were proficient, up from 26% the previous year.
- Reading Proficiency: 34.8% of students were proficient, up from 34.1% the previous year.
These figures highlight the ongoing efforts within the district to address learning gaps and improve academic outcomes for its students.
How Parents Should Interpret MCA Scores
While the MCA reports provide a score, education experts suggest that parents focus on the broader performance levels rather than the specific number. These levels—Does Not Meet, Partially Meets, Meets, or Exceeds—offer a more useful indication of a student's progress over time.
Michael Rodriguez, a psychometrician and dean of the University of Minnesota’s College of Education and Human Development, explains the role of these tests for schools.
"The MCAs are really about how the schools are doing. And it’s really important for us if we’re going to continue to improve and support our schools and identify the schools that need those comprehensive supports."
According to the Minnesota Department of Education, parents should use the results as a starting point to identify where a student is performing well and where they might need extra help. However, they caution against relying solely on these scores.
A Piece of the Puzzle
State officials stress that no single assessment can provide a complete picture of a student's learning. MCA scores should be considered alongside classroom assignments, report cards, and direct communication with teachers to gain a holistic view of a child's academic development.
Parents are encouraged to discuss the results with their child's teacher to understand the context and develop strategies for support. This conversation can help clarify whether the test results align with what the teacher is seeing in the classroom daily.
The Impact of Student Participation and Opt-Outs
Participation rates can significantly influence the data collected from the MCAs. Since the tests are not mandatory, some families choose to opt their children out. In St. Paul Public Schools, participation for the 2024-2025 school year was 90% in math and 92% in reading.
However, opt-out rates can vary dramatically from one school to another, sometimes reaching as high as 40% or more, particularly in higher grades. High opt-out rates can make it difficult to get an accurate picture of a school's performance.
Josh Crosson, executive director of the nonprofit EdAllies, notes that high school data can be particularly challenging to analyze. "High school is a tough data set to look at, just because there’s just so many opt-outs that even one student not meeting proficiency can skew the data," he said.
The Minnesota Department of Education states that higher participation provides districts with more reliable information to make decisions about funding, staffing, and resource allocation.
State and Local Initiatives to Boost Achievement
Minnesota has implemented several programs aimed at improving student academic performance. One key initiative is the READ Act, signed into law in 2023. Its goal is to ensure all children are reading at or above grade level, with specific support for multilingual learners and students in special education.
Within St. Paul Public Schools, targeted support is a priority. Andrew Collins, the district's executive chief of schools, explained that over 50 reading intervention teachers are placed in schools based on data-identified needs.
At Jie Ming Mandarin Immersion Academy, a school with high MCA proficiency rates, Principal Bobbie Johnson credits a data-driven approach. "I give them the data, not just MCA, also ELL ACCESS data, school climate data," Johnson said. "We look through the data. We decide as a whole group, what’s moving forward this year, what’s our focus?"
What Parents Can Do with the Information
After receiving MCA results, parents can take several proactive steps. The first is to talk with their child about their experience taking the test. Asking what they found interesting or difficult can provide valuable insights.
The most crucial step is to build a strong relationship with the child's teacher. Crosson suggests that these conversations are an opportunity to ask what additional resources might be available.
"So often, kids of color and kids with disabilities who do well on the MCAs aren’t also offered opportunities to advance or excel in high school," Crosson noted. "I think it should pique interest and a lot of questions."
Parents should remember that test scores are just one aspect of a child's education. School community, special programs, and extracurricular opportunities also play a vital role in their overall development.
For more detailed information on a specific school's performance, parents can visit the Minnesota Report Card website, which provides data on assessments, staffing, attendance, and more.