Triton board looks at test scores, approves routine items

A routine presentation on results of state-mandated test scores led to Board Member Tracy Petersohn asking if the board was spending enough time discussing the results.

Middle School Principal Luke Lutterman, who is also the district’s assessment coordinator, said that the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments or MCAs are just one piece or tool used to measure growth.

Despite test scores that hover at or below state averages in some areas, the district is showing improvements, he said. In most areas a drop in scores was seen in the 2013 testing when a new test and format was introduced. That drop, he added, was seen statewide.

Since then, he said, there has been improvement. Elementary reading scores, for example, are above the state average of 59 percent proficiency at 61.8 percent proficiency.

Elementary Principal Nancy Stucky added that in the spring of 2013 the staff asked for additional support and in the fall of 2013 began implementing additional interventions.

This year’s third-graders, she said, were the first class tested benefitting from those interventions.

Students at the high school saw big increases in the last testing in reading scores, Lutterman said.

Triton Middle School students were well below the state averages in reading, he said, and the staff will now take that information and work with the data to find trends and solutions, he said.

All grades have seen an increase in science scores with the 2016 tests, he said.

Superintendent Brett Joyce said that while the district is not pleased with the results and wants to see growth care must be taken not to jump to conclusions.

The tests are given to students at specific grade levels and that means different cohorts of