Dakota Times

In Discovery Charter School District 44.3% of the students passed the mathematics portion of the MCA test in the 2023-24 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 success rate among Discovery Charter School District students fell by 2% from the previous school year.

Discovery Charter School District roughly covers schools within Dakota County and has a main office in Inver Grove Heights.

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

According to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), Minnesota's fourth graders scored 241 in math, just above the national average of 237. Their reading score of 216 was on par with the U.S. average, but shows a slight decline over recent years. Eighth graders scored 284 in math and 264 in reading, both above the national averages. 

However, despite these results, both grade levels remain below pre-pandemic levels in math and reading.