Dakota Times

In Academic Arts High School District 42.9% of the students passed the reading portion of the MCA 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.

Academic Arts High School District roughly covers schools within Dakota County and has a main office in West Saint Paul.

The MCA is given annually to Minnesota students to determine the academic readiness of students. Not every grade is tested each year.

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.