Albert Lea Area Schools is addressing high school and middle school test scores in lieu of 2016 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment test results released Thursday. 

Albert Lea 11th-grade students were 33.7 percent proficient in math, less than 47.2 percent of students statewide and less than 35.6 percent of Albert Lea students in 2015.

Tenth-grade students were slightly more than 43 percent proficient in reading, less than 59.1 percent of students statewide and less than 49.5 percent of Albert Lea students in 2015.

Coordinator of Elementary Programs Mary Jo Dorman said the test scores are a snapshot, noting she believes that both schools will continue to make sure their instruction aligns to state standards to improve student achievement.

Albert Lea High School students were nearly 45 percent proficient in science, below the 55.8 percent of students statewide, but an increase over just under 37 percent proficiency of Albert Lea High School students in 2015.

Albert Lea eighth-graders were 32.7 percent proficient in science, less than 47.5 percent of eighth-graders statewide, but an increase over 28 percent proficiency of Albert Lea students in 2015.

Dorman said she was pleased that more than 70 percent of Albert Lea third-graders were proficient in math. The percentage is slightly more than 69.6 percent of third-graders statewide, but is a decrease from the more than 73 percent of Albert Lea third-graders in 2015.

Dorman said reading and math test scores for students receiving free or reduced lunch at each district elementary building were higher than the state proficiency average for students receiving free or reduced lunch, and credited the above-average scores to interventionists, classroom teachers and strong instructional practices that ensure state standards at the elementary level are met.

Though Dorman said she hates to see test scores drop, she still gleans success from those numbers.

“That’s a real success,” she said, noting her belief that professional development and a new curriculum in math are aiding high math scores at the elementary level.

Fifth-graders were more than 60 percent proficient in math, higher than statewide proficiency of less than 59 percent, and an increase from less than 58 percent of Albert Lea fifth-graders in 2015.

Sixth-grade students were 44 percent proficient in math, less than 56.1 percent of students statewide and less than 50.6 percent of Albert Lea sixth-graders in 2015.

Seventh-grade students were 43.3 percent proficient in math, lower than more than 56 percent of students statewide, but more than 38.6 percent of Albert Lea seventh-graders in 2015.

Dorman said she appreciates the district and the direction it is going in.

“I am really proud of Albert Lea and the direction we are going,” Dorman said.

More information on Albert Lea testing data can be found on the Minnesota Department of Education website.