Minnesota students’ math and reading proficiency continues to suffer two years into the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fewer than half of students scored proficient on reading and math assessments, according to data the state Department of Education plans to release publicly on Thursday. Just 42 percent of students who were tested scored proficient in math and 49 percent were on track in reading.
Student proficiency has fallen dramatically since the pandemic, dropping 12 percentage points in math and nearly 10 percentage points in reading since 2019. Before the pandemic, Minnesota’s reading scores were stagnant and math proficiency was trending downward.
“These statewide assessment results reinforce what we already know – our students, families, school communities and educators need us to continue to meet this moment,” Heather Mueller, state education commissioner, said in a statement.
STRUGGLING SCHOOLS
In response, the state’s system of academic supports will help 371 schools and 15 entire school districts. The COMPASS system — Collaborative Minnesota Partnerships to Advance Student Success — provides schools and districts with additional teaching resources to help get students on track.
Mueller plans to discuss the scores further at a Thursday news conference.
The state’s North Star accountability system uses measures of student achievement, attendance and graduation rates to gauge school performance. Struggling schools are identified every three years for extra support from the state.
Students didn’t take the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments, or MCAs, in 2020 because of the pandemic, and participation was low in 2021. Overall measures of proficiency also include different assessments given to students with disabilities or those learning English.
Minnesota has one of the nation’s worst academic achievement gaps between white students and students of color, those learning English and those living in poverty. The coronavirus pandemic has worsened that divide by many measures.
For instance, just 18 percent of Black students scored proficient in math in 2022 compared to 51 percent of white students. Only 25 percent of Native American students are reading at grade level while 57 percent of white students are proficient.
“For many, this data is likely to be a wake-up call,” said Matt Shaver, policy director at EdAllies, a group that advocates for students and families who are historically underserved by public schools. “The pandemic disrupted learning for several years and it will take several years of evidence-based, data-based, student focused decision-making to get all students on track.”
“There are steps we can take in the coming year to steady the ship and invest directly in student needs,” Shaver added, calling for “evidence-based literacy instruction, supports for mental health, access to tutoring” and other help.
Minnesota districts and charter schools received more than $2.7 billion in federal aid to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Roughly half of that was aimed at reopening schools safely and making up lost learning.
ST. PAUL SCORES
Test scores in St. Paul also continue to drop with 30 percent of district students reading at grade level and only 21 percent proficient in math, according to the North Star accountability system.
However, that includes every student that attempted an assessment, as required by federal school accountability rules. If only valid tests are measured, St. Paul schools saw a modest increase in proficiency scores with 35 percent meeting standards in reading and 25 percent on grade level in math.
More than two dozen St. Paul schools have been identified for extra support from the state. Roughly half of the district schools identified by state officials for additional help are elementary schools.
A district spokeswoman declined to comment Wednesday, saying district leaders would address the results Thursday morning after the state Department of Education makes them public.