Contact: Thel Kocher
Director of Research and Evaluation
952-848-3900
thekocher@edina.k12.mn.us

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Edina Public Schools students continue to perform well on
MCA-II assessment
Middle and high-school students exceed state average by 20 to 33 percent  

Edina, Minn., July 6, 2009 – Edina Public Schools (EPS) recently learned the results of the 2008-2009 MCA-II assessments in reading and mathematics, and the results show that Edina students continue to perform well above the Minnesota average. This trend was consistent in all seven grades tested, and especially true among the middle and high-schools levels.

In the middle and high-school subgroup, the percentage of Edina students proficient in reading and mathematics exceeds state figures by 20 percent to 33 percent. District administrators attribute this success to strong middle-school programming and the high school’s extensive efforts to better meet students’ learning needs.

The MCA-II assessments have been administered for four years, and each year, Edina students at all grade levels continuously increase their performance in both reading and mathematics. In mathematics, sixth and eighth-grade students increased performance by 7 percent, and 11th-grade students increased performance by 17 percent. In reading, eighth-grade students exhibited a 5 percent increase and 10th-grade students increased by nearly 10 percent.

While the Edina results continue to indicate that some subgroups do not succeed as well as others, it is notable that all racial/ethnic/socio-economical groups have improved performance over time.  Black and Hispanic students, as well as students eligible for free or reduced price meals, showed especially positive growth. In reading, the improvement was strongest at the elementary and middle-school levels. In mathematics, the greatest improvements were at the elementary level.

Moving forward, the District is embarking on a major initiative to better personalize learning for each student. This will provide stronger support for the learning needs of all students. Two elementary schools were part of a pilot program targeted specifically toward using data to personalize learning. These students achieved stronger growth as compared to the students not involved in the pilot.

More information about Edina test performance can be found here

About Edina Public Schools
Edina Public Schools is comprised of six elementary schools (K-5), two middle schools (6-9) and one senior high (10-12). Total enrollment is approximately 7,800 students. The District serves Edina, a first-tier Minneapolis suburb comprised of approximately 47,450 people.

###