Annandale school officials have in hand the results of the first state-mandated science test taken by fifth-, eighth- and 10th- grade students last spring, but they aren’t quite sure what to make of them. No Child Left Behind legislation made it clear from the beginning that states were to eventually come up with a way to assess students’ proficiency in science as well as math and reading. Last May, schools across the state administered the tests for the first time. They do not count for Annual Yearly Progress and students don’t need to pass them to graduate. In fact, the only mandate was that districts assess grades five and eight and that the class of 2010 take them before they graduate. Annandale fifth-graders were the only class out of the three tested to score above the state average. Forty-three percent scored proficient or better compared to the state average of 38 percent. The eighth grade posted 28 percent of its population as proficient or better compared to the state average of 38, and sophomores posted 40 percent proficient. The state average was 43 percent. What does it tell us? "So what does this test tell us about our science curriculum?" curriculum coordinator Kathy Holahan said. "That our concentration, especially in the lower grades, is on math and reading." "Does that mean we can’t give as much energy to science as we would like? "Yes. We’re being measured on reading and math, so that is where we have to put our concerns." Like the other Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments, the science tests are meant to compare districts in an effort to keep them accountable. If a district meets its proficiency goals it is considered to have made AYP. If a district doesn’t make AYP it could be subject to sanctions. Because the test is made to compare schools, it does not offer a lot of helpful information about individual students, Holahan said. The length of time it takes to get the results of the tests also makes it difficult for teachers to use the information. The test takers are not even in the same grade by the time they get the results, she noted. Annandale didn’t see the results of the science test taken last spring until August. Adding to the complexity of the test was the new delivery format. The science tests were the first MCAs to be taken online. The state’s hope was to make the test-taking process more efficient, but it created a whole new set of concerns for officials in Annandale, and the results did not come back any sooner, Holahan said. Not without problems Although the online testing eliminated the paper inventory that comes with the traditional paper-and-pencil testing, administrators had to be very careful to follow specific state regulations to ensure security. There was also a measure of anxiety that came with wondering whether there would be any computer glitches or if a child would have to wait and worry needlessly long while the program downloaded, Holahan said. If the state were to make all of the MCAs online tests, the Annandale district would struggle to provide enough computer time for everybody. Testing would tie up computers through the majority of April and into May each year, and with more classes relying on computer programs as part of their curriculum, the labs would soon become congested, Holahan said. The state doesn’t have the money at this point to make all of the MCAs online tests, she added. According to Holahan, state officials consider the science tests a baseline from where they will start assessing science knowledge. The state has not indicated when the test will count toward AYP, only that students must take it again this year. Other tests Minnesota students now take MCAs in either math or reading or both in the third through eighth grade and as sophomores and juniors. The science MCA will be administered in the fifth, eighth and 10th grades and the writing graduation standard test is taken in the ninth grade. When the science tests become subject to AYP probably won’t be determined until after the elections. Since NCLB is a federal program, who is in office could greatly affect it, Holahan said. "We have to wait and see what happens. So much depends on people who don’t have a stake in local conditions, who are not connected to our community." Holahan’s opinion of NCLB is that, while not completely useless, it needs a lot of "cleaning up." She would be for tossing out all of the state-mandated MCAs in favor of the NAEP model, which is a series of national exams that tests samples of students throughout the USA. "This model would still give us an idea of where Minnesota students are at and give some accountability," Holahan said. "There is really no need to test students every year from third through eighth grade, then in 10th and 11th under the MCA model." "We still want special attention paid to the needs of students who need extra help. What we really want is full funding for special education. We’ve been promised that for years, and have never gotten it."
