Assessments
Using data to guide decision-making is essential to providing students with what they need to continue to grow and learn. It is important to consider the appropriateness of the assessment tools, cost, technology needs, training, validity, purpose, use and how information will be reported. Assessment tools need to provide timely, reliable actionable and appropriate information to inform decisions related to students who are falling behind and students who may benefit from accelerated learning opportunities.
Main Contact
Daniel Athman
Data, Assessment and Research Specialist
daniel.athman@isd47.org
Testing Information and Resources
- Minnesota's Academic Standards-Based Assessments
- Parent/Guardian Participation Guide and Refusal Information
- Academic Standards and Assessments
- Preparation Tips and Understanding Test Scores
- North Star Academic Progress
Minnesota's Academic Standards-Based Assessments
Minnesota students take the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) each spring. These tests show how well students are learning the Minnesota Academic Standards.
- Reading MCAs are given to students in grades 3-8 and 10.
- Math MCAs are given to students in grades 3-8 and 11.
- Science MCAs are given in grades 5 and 8, and once in high school.
Students who receive special education services and meet alternate assessment eligibility requirements take the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) or Alternate Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (Alt MCA) in place of the MCA in the same grades.
Most Minnesota students will take the MCA online during their school day, likely in their classrooms. The MTAS/Alt MCA is given by a teacher or another school staff. Each Minnesota school district decides when students will take these assessments within a designated spring testing window.
More detailed information about Minnesota’s K-12 Academic Standards can be found on the Academic Standards (K-12) page of the MDE website.
Two downloadable Parent Fact Sheets about the MCA and MTAS/Alt MCA are posted below to provide general information about each statewide assessment for families. Translated versions of these documents are available on the Translated Documents page.
Documents
- MCA Parent Fact Sheet via MDE website
- MTAS/Alt MCA Parent Fact Sheet vis MDE website
Parent/Guardian Participation Guide and Refusal Information
Parent/Guardian Participation Guide and Refusal Information
Your student’s participation in statewide assessments is important as it allows your school and district to ensure all students have access to a high-quality education. In the past, students with disabilities and English learners were often excluded from statewide assessments. When all students participate in statewide assessments, schools and educators have more information to see how all students are doing. This helps schools continuously improve the education they provide and identify groups, grades, or subjects that may need additional support.
Assessments Connect to Standards
Statewide assessments are based on the Minnesota Academic Standards or the WIDA English Language Development Standards. These standards define the knowledge and skills students should be learning in K-12 districts and charter schools. Minnesota prioritizes high-quality education, and statewide assessments give educators and leaders an opportunity to evaluate student and school success.
| Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) MCA are annual assessments in reading, mathematics, and science that provide a snapshot of student learning aligned to the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards. |
| WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS for English Learners The WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS are the annual assessments for English learners that provide information about their progress in learning academic English, based on the WIDA English Language Development Standards. |
Statewide Assessments Help Families and Students
- Participating in statewide assessments gives families a snapshot of their student’s learning so they can advocate for their success in school. High school students may use MCA results for:
- Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) enrollment eligibility in grade 10.
Course placement at a Minnesota State college or university. If students receive a college-ready score, they may not need to take a remedial, noncredit course for that subject.
English learners who take the WIDA ACCESS or WIDA Alternate ACCESS and meet certain requirements have the opportunity to exit from EL services.
Taking Statewide Assessments Helps Your Student’s School
Statewide assessments provide information to your school and district about how all students are engaging with the content they learn in school. This information helps:
- Educators evaluate their instructional materials.
- Schools and districts identify inequities between groups, explore root causes, and implement supports.
- School and district leaders make decisions on how to use money and resources to support all students.
Student Participation in Statewide Assessments
Student participation in state and locally required assessments is a parent/guardian choice. If you choose to have your student not participate in a statewide assessment, please provide a reason for your decision on the following page. Contact your student’s school to learn more about locally required assessments.
Consequences of Not Participating in Statewide Assessments
- The student will not receive an individual score. For WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS, the student will not have the opportunity to exit from EL services.
- School and district assessment results will be incomplete, making it more difficult to have an accurate picture of student learning.
- Certain statewide assessment calculations include all eligible students, including those who do not participate. Non-participation impacts accountability results, which may affect the school’s ability to be identified for support or recognized for success.
|
Additional Information
|
Statewide Assessments: Parent/Guardian Decision Not to Participate
By completing the form, you are acknowledging that your student will not participate in statewide assessments and will not receive individual assessment results. This form must be submitted to your student’s school or district office prior to testing.
Stateside Assessments: Parent/Guardian Decision Not to Participate Form
Additional Translated Documents
Academic Standards and Assessments
What are academic standards?
The Minnesota K–12 Academic Standards are the statewide expectations for student academic achievement. They identify the knowledge and skills that all students must achieve in a content area and are organized by grade level. School districts determine how students will meet the standards by developing courses and curriculum aligned to the academic standards.
Preparation Tips and Understanding Test Scores
Preparing for Assessment Day
Parents/guardians and families can help their students prepare for the statewide assessments by making sure they understand why they are taking the assessments. Using positive language about the assessments, practicing stress-reducing strategies and having a healthy meal before testing can also help each student do their best.
More information about student participation and refusal are included in the Parent/Guardian Participation Guide provide above.
When do students take the assessments?
Each school sets their testing schedule within the state testing window. View Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools Assessment Calendar here.
- The MCA and MTAS testing window begins in March and ends in May.
- The ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs testing window begins at the end of January and ends in March.
How much time is spent on testing?
Statewide assessments are taken one time each year; the majority of students test online. On average, the amount of time spent taking statewide assessments is less than 1 percent of instructional time in a school year. The assessments are not timed and students can continue working as long as they need.
None of Minnesota’s statewide assessments are timed. Students may take as much time as they need. Students who take either the MCA or MTAS spend around two hours per subject. State law limits the total amount of time per year that students may spend taking school- and district-wide assessments to no more than 10 hours for grades 1 through 6, or 11 hours for grades 7 through 12.
Where do I get more information?
Students and families can find out more on our Statewide Testing page (education.state.mn.us > Students and Families > Statewide Testing).
When do I receive my student’s results?
Each summer, individual student reports are sent to school districts and are provided to families no later than fall conferences. The reports can be used to see your child’s progress and help guide future instruction.
Finding and Understanding Test Scores
Test scores are available in Skyward Family Access. To access scores, please login to Skyward Family Access and select the appropriate student (if you have more than one student). Student ISRs will be found along with student report cards. Paper copies are available by contacting your student's school office.
Tips for Understanding Scores
MDE offers the following guidance to understanding test results
- Statewide Assessments: What Families Need to Know about Using MCA and MTAS Results - 7/12/23
- 2022-2023 MCA ISR Quick Guide - 6/28/23
This two-page quick guide provides an overview of the content of the MCA ISR. - 2022-2023 MTAS ISR Quick Guide - 6/28/23
This two-page quick guide provides an overview of the content of the MTAS ISR.
North Star Academic Progress
North Star Academic Progress: Are Students Improving or Maintaining Achievement Levels on Academic Tests?
The North Star system uses five indicators: academic achievement (calculated and reported separately for math and reading), progress toward English language proficiency, academic progress (calculated and reported separately for math and reading), graduation rates (calculated and reported separately for four-year and seven-year rates), and consistent attendance. When identifying schools and districts, these indicators are organized into three stages. Stage 1 looks at math achievement, reading achievement, and progress toward English language proficiency. Stage 2 looks at math progress and reading progress in elementary and middle schools, four-year and seven-year graduation rates in high schools, and all four of those measurements in districts. Stage 3 looks at consistent attendance.
Additional information on each of the indicators is available on the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) School and District Accountability webpage. In addition, specific school North Star data is available on the School Report Card from MDE.
Assessment Overview by Level
Elementary Assessments
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs)
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) are state mandated accountability test that all Minnesota districts are required to administer. These tests measure the proficiency on state standards in reading, math and science.
MCA Reading (Grades 3–5)
MCA Math (Grades 3–5)
MCA Science (Grade 5)
FAST (Early Reading, CBM Reading)
Screening test of early literacy skills and curriculum based measurements. The subtests match reading skill development and reliably assess which students are meeting benchmarks and which students need additional assistance.
Grades K–5
Spelling Inventory
Short spelling test that looks at multiple patterns and meanings of common words to determine where students are struggling or excelling in their spelling skills.
Grades K–5
ACCESS for English Learners (EL)
ACCESS for ELLs (Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English for English Language Learners) is an English language proficiency assessment given to K–12 students who have been identified as English language learners.
ACCESS for English Learners testing is done in small group and individual settings scheduled by building and will not overlap with MAP and MCA testing.
FASTTrack Reading and FASTTrack Math
Computer adaptive testing of general reading and math abilities.
Grades 2–5
Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessments
Teacher administered periodic assessment to determine students' reading level as well as strengths and areas for growth in reading comprehension and fluency.
Grades K–5
CBM Math Process
Teacher-administered screener and monitor that looks at general mathematics problem-solving skills.
Grades 2–5
Middle School Assessments
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs)
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) are state mandated accountability test that all Minnesota districts are required to administer. These tests measure the proficiency on state standards in reading, math and science.
MCA Reading
Grades 6–8
MCA Math
Grades 6–8
MCA Science
Grade 8
ACCESS for English Learners (EL)
ACCESS for ELLs (Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English for English Language Learners) is an English language proficiency assessment given to K–12 students who have been identified as English language learners. ACCESS for English Learners testing is done in small group and individual settings scheduled by building and will not overlap with MAP or MCA testing.
Grades K–12 English Language Learners
FASTTrack Reading and FASTTrack Math
Computer adaptive testing of general reading and math abilities.
Grades 6–8
High School Assessments
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs)
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) are state mandated accountability test that all Minnesota districts are required to administer. These tests measure the proficiency on state standards in reading, math and science.
MCA Reading
MCA Math
MCA Science
Senior ACT / Junior College/Career Readiness Testing Day
Students will select if they would like to take ACT/AccuPlacer/ASVAB. School counselors will work with students to determine the assessment that is the best fit for them.
ACT is a timed test and will cover the subject areas:
English: Measures standard written English and rhetorical skills
Mathematics: Measures mathematical skills students have typically acquired in courses taken ip to the beginning of grade 12
Reading: Measures reading comprehension
Science: Measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences
AccuPlacer: There's no time limit on the tests, so you can focus on doing your best to demonstrate your skills. ACCUPLACER uses the latest computer-adaptive technology, which means the questions you see are based on your skill level. The test includes reading, writing and math.
ASVAB tests are designed to measure aptitudes in four domains: verbal, math, science and technical and spatial.
Grades 11–12
NWEA-MAP (Measures of Academic Progress)
Computer-adaptive, norm referenced achievement test in reading. This is a nationally normed growth measure.
Grades 9
District Report Card
District and School Information
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) strives for excellence, equity and opportunity by working with schools to ensure all children are ready for school, all third graders can read at grade level, all racial and economic achievement gaps among students are closed, all students graduate from high school and all students are ready for a career and college.
The Minnesota Report Card is a tool to help families and communities be informed about schools so that they can make important decisions and meaningfully engage with schools and educators. While it provides a wealth of data, nothing can replace the value of speaking directly a student’s teacher to understand how a student is doing in school.
We hope that the information available in the district report card helps families make decisions and have productive conversations with educators.
For more information about the designations in the report card, please visit School and District Accountability.