Monday, August 28, 2023
ALEXANDRIA, Minn. -- According to the state assessment scores released by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) on August 24, Alexandria Public Schools (APS) students continue to score above state averages in reading, math, and science in percent of students proficient.

     The state tests measure students' learning of the state academic standards in reading, math, and science. All students in grades 3 - 8 take the tests in reading and math, grade 10 students take a reading test, grade 11 students take a math test, and grades 5, 8 and students taking biology take the science test. 

     Students are assigned an achievement level based on their scale score. Students at the meets and exceeds achievement levels are considered proficient on the state assessment. These assessments are part of Minnesota’s educational accountability system. MDE does not require students to demonstrate proficiency as a requirement for graduation.

     The spring 2023 data reveals that:

• Alexandria students continued to outperform their state peers in math, including 56.6 percent of the students with valid scores being proficient in spring 2023. (APS, 56.6%; State, 45.5%)

• Alexandria students continued to outpace their state peers in reading, including 52.7 percentage of the students with valid scores being proficient in spring 2023. (APS, 52.7%; State, 49.9%)

•  Data celebration points include:

  • A 6.7% increase in students proficient in math at Grade 5.

  • A 5.4% increase in students proficient in math at Grade 6.

  • A 5.8% increase in students proficient in reading at Grade 6.

  • A 3.9% increase in students proficient in reading at Grade 10.

  • A 4.5% increase in students proficient in science at Grade 5.

     “Minnesota’s statewide assessments represent a snapshot of student learning of the standards. These results are used as one part of a comprehensive system,” stated Darcy Josephson, Assistant Superintendent – Teaching & Learning. “Our building leadership teams and district teams review the data to assist in developing strategies to meet the needs of students at Alexandria Public Schools.”

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If you have any additional questions, please contact Darcy Josephson – Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning, (320) 762-2141 ext. 4205, or email: djosephson@alexschools.org.