Local district fares well in reading, math compared to other OTC schools

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

The Henning School District continues to be one of the top reading and math schools among all Otter Tail County and Freshwater Education District schools on state standardized testing.

During its regularly scheduled meeting last week, the Henning School Board heard an update of the recently released MCA test results for Henning School students. The elementary level ranked among the top schools in reading, as well as math across all schools in the region. The elementary level also fared quite well compared to the state average as well. 

“The first step is to do better than the state average and then start climbing when compared to other area school districts,” said Henning Principal Thomas Williams. “As you can see, we have some very positive spots and we have some negative spots as well. We have some highlights in our reading in 4, 6, 8.”

Williams highlighted the reading in grades fourth, sixth and eighth grade that either ranked first or second amongst Otter Tail County or Freshwater Education District schools. In fact, the sixth grade class had the highest proficiency for all Otter Tail County School Districts and the Freshwater Education District at 78.6 percent proficient. In reading alone, 78.6 percent of all sixth grade students were deemed as proficient, while the state average was just 54.1 percent.

The fourth grade class was second amongst Otter Tail County and Freshwater Education at 60 percent efficient, while the eighth grade was the second highest among Freshwater Education District students at 52.9 percent. 

As a whole, the school district had the second highest proficiency rate amongst Freshwater School District at 54.6 percent.

Williams went on to say the school district typically has a dip at the fifth grade due to changes in what the test looks for, not only on a local level but the state as well. Despite that dip, the Henning fifth graders exceeded the state average as students finished with a proficiency rate of 63.6 percent, compared to the state average of 57.1 percent. 

In math, the elementary students were among the top schools in the region as the third grade students had a proficiency of 76.2 percent, compared to a state average of 57.9 percent and were the second highest grade in both Otter Tail County and Freshwater Education District. The fourth grade had a proficiency of 73.3 percent in math compared to the state average of 55.6 percent.

The fifth grade had a proficiency of 55.1 percent in math, compared to a state average of 42.9 percent and were the highest school in terms of proficiency in both Otter Tail County and Freshwater Education District. The sixth grade students had a proficiency of 50 percent in math, compared to the state average of 40.1 percent. The sixth grade was the second highest proficiency among Freshwater Education District schools.  

After reviewing the MCA test scores, Williams was asked by school board members if students try on the test, given it has no bearing on graduation or grade placement from the state. Even though he felt students try on the test he added that they may not take other steps like getting a good night sleeping or eating a good breakfast the morning of the tests. 

While there were a number of highlights that came about the test, Williams said the high school will need to do some work to improve upon test scores. One class he highlighted, even though they did not meet the state average was the eighth grade (this year’s freshman class), who were just 35 percent proficient in math, but were just 17.1 percent proficient the year beforehand. 

The seventh grade math also fell below the state average with just 29 percent of students being deemed as proficient, as did the 11th grade math which was 29.4 percent proficient on the test. 

Test results include: 

• Third grade: reading- 40.9 percent (46.1 percent state average), math- 76.2 percent (57.9 percent state average)

• Fourth grade: reading- 60 percent (46.3 percent state average), math- 73.3 percent (55.6 percent state average)

• Fifth grade: reading- 63.6 percent (57.1 percent state average), math- 55.1 percent (42.9 percent state average)

• Sixth grade: reading- 78.6 percent (54.1 percent state average), math- 50 percent (40.1 percent state average)

• Seventh grade: reading- 43.8 percent ( 46.2 percent state average), math- 29 percent (40.9 percent state average)

• Eighth grade: reading- 52.9 percent (46 percent state average), math- 35.3 percent (41.9 percent state average)

• 10th grade: reading- 50 percent (51.3 percent state average)

• 11th grade: math- 29.4 percent (35 percent state average)

While the math and reading reports have been released by the state of Minnesota, but the science scores will not be released until later in September.

In other news

• Approved the voluntary reduction in bus driving hours from Glenn Scott from a full-time route driver to a part-time route, effective September 2. 

• Approved the hiring of Cory Helmbrecht as a part-time route driver and Ryan Pederson as a full-time route driver. 

• Accepted donations totaling $1,840 for the Adopt a Classroom from Marie and Dean Trosdahl, In Front Ag, Don and Mary Seipkes, Jack Skjegstad, Carmion Skegstad, Curtis Anderson, Wayne and Gail Guse, TNT Repair, Inc., Henning Senior Citizens Group, Brandy’s Bar LLC, Precision Landscape and Irrigation and St. Edwards Catholic Church. 

• Heard the activities director report from Randy Misegades who said Henning participation numbers in football and volleyball are very strong this year, but the school district does not have any students participating in cross country. Misegades also highlighted several facility needs at the football field like a new or remodeled press box, bleachers, concession stands and bathrooms. He also highlighted a potential need to purchase or lease a robot field painter that could be used for football, softball and baseball. The robot could be purchased in conjunction with the Battle Lake School District, for example, to cut down on the estimated cost of $34,000 for the machine. The robot would save custodial staff time and allow them to work on other projects instead of painting the fields in preparation for games.

• Approved the proposed levy for 2025, payable during the 2026 school year at the maximum levy. The proposed levy could be lowered, but not increased before it is finalized in December. 

• Heard the superintendent’s report from Melissa Sparks who said the school district’s enrollment is up five students from where it ended last school year. The total enrollment in grades K-12 is 360 students, including:  kindergarten 20 students, first grade 31 students, second grade 25 students, third grade 33 students, fourth grade 23 students, fifth grade 31 students, sixth grade 33 students, seventh grade 16 students, eighth grade 33 students, ninth grade 35 students, 10th grade 25 students, 11th grade 21 students and 12th grade 24 students.