GSL’s MCA test scores exceed state averages

Compared to last year’s Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) scores, Glencoe-Silver Lake Lakeside Elementary improved by 3 percent in reading and 2 percent in math, surpassing the state average.
But the biggest improvement has been in the English Language Learner (ELL) math scores, which jumped from 15.2 percent to 25.7 percent in the last year.
“The teachers have really been dedicated to that (improving scores), looking at what we should be teaching and what we are teaching and if we’re teaching it well,” Elementary Principal Bill Butler said.
Grades three through 12 participate in MCA testing in the spring each school year, and Diane Schultz, assistant elementary principal, said the GSL staff is looking at the curriculum across the board in all grades and will “really be looking at the best (teaching) practices” to keep consistency across all grades.
“It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s all paying off. We all need it (the encouragement of higher test scores), especially the classroom teachers on the frontline. They need to see that ‘Yeah, the curriculum is working!’” Schultz said.

For more about the test scores, see the Sept. 10 print edition of The Chronicle.