Heron Lake-Okabena School District registered 53.1% of its students failing the reading portion of the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) and the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) test in the 2022-23 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 number of Heron Lake-Okabena School District students who failed their reading assessments rose by 6% from the previous school year.
Data showed that sixth grade students stood out with 26.7% of them exceeding standards in reading, which was the highest recorded proficiency in Heron Lake-Okabena School District.
On the other hand, fourth grade students had the most room for improvement, with 73.7% not meeting the expected standards.
Heron Lake-Okabena School District roughly covers schools within Jackson County and has a main office in Okabena.
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.
| School Name | Failure Rate (%) |
|---|---|
| Heron Lake-Okabena Secondary | 54.2% |
| Heron Lake-Okabena Elementary School | 52.2% |
