91.7% of 10th graders from Columbia Heights Senior High School take reading portion of 2023-24 MCA

Columbia Heights Senior High School reported that 10th graders were the only students assessed in the reading portion of the 2023-24 MCA, according to the Minnesota Department of Education.

All 277 students who took that portion of the test in Columbia Heights Senior High School were enrolled in the 10th grade.

The number of 10th graders taking the reading MCAs fell from the previous school year, when 282 students were assessed.

Overall, 36.1% of the students in the 10th grade were considered proficient in reading, according to the test standards.

The MCA and the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) are the state tests that help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota’s academic standards and also meet federal and state legislative requirements. The tests cover math, reading and science, depending on the grade that is being tested. Most students take the MCA, but students who receive special education services and meet eligibility requirements may take the MTAS instead.

Overall proficiency on Minnesota's MCA exams has declined compared to pre-pandemic levels, according to Minnesota's Report Card. Math proficiency, for example, dropped by more than 7% from 2019, while reading proficiency fell by almost 5%.