Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R-East Gull Lake) and Senate Education Committee Chair Roger Chamberlain (R- Lino Lakes) released the following statements responding to the low proficiency scores recorded in this year’s MCA test results. Less than half, 44% of students, are proficient in math, and about half, 52% of students, are proficient in reading. Both sets of scores are lower than the 2019 test results. 

“This is a tragedy for this generation of learners,” Gazelka said. “Mastering basic reading and math skills are essential for success in life and we are going to see the effects of this pandemic and the disaster of distance learning for a very long time. The persistent achievement gap and these proficiency scores are in spite of historic funding for our public education system- money is not the problem. Never has it been more obvious that we need major reforms in how we educate our children: school choice, a focus on teaching basic reading and math skills, and removing political and social agendas from our education standards.” 

The test results show even worse outcomes for children of color and English language learners. A 34% drop in math skills by children of color compared to a 19% drop for white students is especially alarming. 

“Every parent, and especially black and Hispanic parents, deserve better from our schools. If the local and state administrators can’t fix the problem, we ought to free these families from the trappings of a zipcode or bus route and allow them to choose the best school for their kids,” said Chamberlain. 

Chamberlain is the author of the Education Scholarship Account bill, which allows parents to use funds for private education, tutoring, specialized therapies, or education transportation needs. “Senate Republicans passed an education budget that supported students first and without adding burdensome mandates in the middle of a pandemic,” Chamberlain continued. “This year’s academic mission is clear – get kids who have fallen behind academically due to disruptions to in-person learning back on track. Every child is capable of meeting and exceeding proficiency standards. Our state’s future depends on these kids receiving a quality education, no matter where they live, the color of their skin, or their economic status.”