North Hennepin News

In Twin Lakes STEM Academy School District 7.7% of the students passed the science portion of the MCA test in the 2020-21 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.

Twin Lakes STEM Academy School District roughly covers schools within Hennepin County and has a main office in Brooklyn Center.

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.