Report cards for area schools reveal more progress is needed

Tim Spitzack
Editor

Recent statistics from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) show that public schools in the St. Paul Voice distribution area – and schools across the state – are still struggling to recover from the adverse effects the COVID-19 pandemic had on learning. Last year’s graduates were freshmen in the 2019-2020 school year and remained in distance learning for most of their sophomore year. Their junior year was also disrupted by increased staff and student absences due to illness.

The MDE offers a report card for each public school in the state that is designed to give parents an easy-to-read overview of how their school is doing at meeting state standards. The data below compares the pre-COVID year of 2019 to 2023. Students are tested one time in high school for each subject using the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) test. The reading test is administered in 10th grade, math in 11th grade, and science after the student has completed their life science instruction (usually a biology course). To view all data for your school, visit education.mn.gov, click the Data Center link, then Minnesota Report Card. The percentages are the number of students who meet state standards.

At Humboldt High School, graduation rates improved slightly but the percentage of students meeting state standards in math, reading and science has declined.
Graduation rate: 69.8% in 2019; 72.2% in 2023
– Math: 15.6% in 2019; 8.6% in 2023
– Reading: 22.4% in 2019; 15.8% in 2023
– Science: 7% in 2019; 4.6% in 2023
– School board representative: Carlo Franco, carlo.franco@spps.org, 651-767-8149. To follow school board activities, visit spps.org/about/board-of-education

At Two Rivers High School, reading scores improved slightly but graduation rates and math and science scores decreased.
– Graduation rate: 91.4% in 2019; 85.1% in 2023
– Math: 46.7% in 2019; 43.8% in 2023
– Reading: 53.2% in 2019; 55.3% in 2023
– Science: 64.5% in 2019; 53.3% in 2023
– School board: Sarah Larsen is the board chair. Information on all board members can be found at isd197.org/district/school-board or by calling 651-403-7002.

At South St. Paul High School, graduation rates and science scores improved but math and reading scores were down.
– Graduation rate: 86.5% in 2019; 89.3% in 2023
– Math: 31.6% in 2019; 26% in 2023
– Reading: 45.3% in 2019; 35.9% in 2023
– Science: 35.1% in 2019; 35.8% in 2023
– School board: John Raasch is board chair. Information on all board members can be found at sspps.org/about/school-board or by calling 651-457-9700.

“All schools were significantly impacted by the pandemic,” said Raasch. “South St. Paul is taking a more wholistic approach to increase student and teacher support. We’re adding more counselors at all our schools, introducing new curriculums in math and literacy, and developing more pathways at the secondary school that allow students to explore vocations. I have an immense amount of pride in what our teachers are doing to push our students to achieve at the highest level.”

Statewide, graduation rates, math, reading and science scores are all down.
– Graduation rate: 83.7% in 2019; 83.3% in 2023
– Math: 55% in 2019; 45.5% in 2023
– Reading: 59.2% in 2019; 49.9% in 2023
– Science: 50.7% in 2019; 39.2% in 2023

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