Quantcast

SC Minnesota News

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Did Owatonna Public School District students succeed or flounder in their 2023-24 science tests?

Webp 63af4ad33ec0732ll fotor 1635

Willie Jett Commissioner of Education Minnesota Department of Education | Office of Gov. Tim Walz

Willie Jett Commissioner of Education Minnesota Department of Education | Office of Gov. Tim Walz

In Owatonna Public School District 30.3% of the students passed the science 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 Owatonna Public School District students grew by 1.3% from the previous school year.

Owatonna Public School District roughly covers schools within Steele County and has a main office in Owatonna.

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.

Owatonna Public School District's Students Proficiency in Science Over 4 Years

2020-212021-222022-232023-2401020304050MinnesotaOwatonna Public School District

Students Who Met or Exceeded Academic Standards in Science During 2023-24 School Year

School NameStudents Who Met Standards (%)Students Who Exceed Standards (%)
Owatonna Online 9-120%0%
Wilson Elementary School25.4%0%
Owatonna Middle School19.8%2.6%
Lincoln Elementary School24.5%5.7%
Owatonna Online 7-833.3%0%
Owatonna Senior High School36.1%5%
Washington Elementary School31.3%6.3%
McKinley Elementary School34.6%7.4%
Owatonna Alternative Learning Center 9-12----
Owatonna Online K-6----

!RECEIVE ALERTS

The next time we write about any of these orgs, we’ll email you a link to the story. You may edit your settings or unsubscribe at any time.
Sign-up

DONATE

Help support the Metric Media Foundation's mission to restore community based news.
Donate

MORE NEWS