Thief River Falls School District registered 37.5% of its students failing the science portion of the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) and the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) test in the 2021-22 school year, according to the Minnesota Department of Education.
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.
The number of Thief River Falls School District students who failed their science assessments rose by 5.7% from the previous school year.
Data showed that fifth grade students stood out with 5.2% of them exceeding standards in science, which was the highest recorded proficiency in Thief River Falls School District.
On the other hand, HS grade students had the most room for improvement, with 42% not meeting the expected standards.
Thief River Falls School District roughly covers schools within Pennington County and has a main office in Thief River Falls.
Analysis from The Nation’s Report Card showed math and reading scores have fallen significantly in the last decade. Science scores have been steady in recent years.
| School Name | Failure Rate (%) |
|---|---|
| Lincoln Senior High School | 42% |
| Franklin Middle School | 40.4% |
| Challenger Elementary School | 29.9% |
