Latest MCA scores due out Tuesday

State education officials will release scores from the latest round of Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment tests on Tuesday. Tim Post reports.

Taken in the spring, results of the MCAs show how students are measuring up to state standards in math, reading and science.

The scores will also offer the latest look at the achievement gap between white students and students of color.

Education officials use the MCAs to identify struggling schools that need help from the state to improve performance.

Some districts will also use the scores to measure how well teachers are doing as a part of the state's new teacher evaluation system that goes into effect this fall.

In recent years there's been growing concern over the amount of time students in Minnesota and across the country spend on assessment testing.

Both the state and federal departments of education are looking at ways to reduce the amount of testing in the future.