ASSESSMENTS

The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCAs) and alternate assessments (MCA-Modified and Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) are the state tests that help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota’s academic standards and also meet the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Students take one test in each subject. Most students take the MCA, but students who receive special education services and meet eligibility requirements may take one of the alternate assessments instead. The list below gives the tests available for each subject, with grades given in parentheses behind each test.

• Reading: MCA or MTAS (grades 3-8, 10)
• Math: MCA or MTAS (grades 3-8, 11)
• Science: MCA or MTAS (grades 5, 8 and high school)

Results from these assessments will be disseminated via the Individual Student Reports (ISRs) during fall conferences.

Maintaining the integrity of tests and test items is of great importance to MDE. Improper or unethical behavior by students or educators undermines the validity of test score interpretation. Please report suspected incidents of cheating or piracy of test items by using the

Test Security Report

Parents can choose to have their student(s) opt out of taking the MCA by completing the following form.

Parent Refusal Form

MCA (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment)

The purpose is to monitor student achievement and curriculum in math, reading, and science
Grades: 3-8, 10, 11

Use of results:

• Individual student achievement
• Review for instruction and placement
• School and district accountability for achievement
•  

Timeline: Spring

Estimated test administration time: Reading: 2-3.5 hours, Math: 1.5-2.5 hours, Science: 1.75-2 hours

MTAS (Minnesota Test of Academic Skills)

This test is administered to students who receive special education services and meet eligibility criteria.

Grades: 3-8, 10, 11

Use of results:

• Individual student achievement
• Review for instruction and placement
• School and district accountability for achievement
•  

Timeline: Spring, as scheduled

ACCESS

The ACCESS for ELLs test, a large-scale English language proficiency assessment, is used to measure and monitor the English language development of English language learners (ELLs) in kindergarten through 12th grade, helping schools and districts ensure ELLs are meeting proficiency goals. 

45 minutes for K
Approximate 4 hours for 8-12

DISTRICT ASSESSMENTS

Benchmark Assessment: DIBELS – Reading

Grades K-6

Benchmark assessments serve three purposes:

• Allow students to be screened to monitor their academic progress. Students below benchmark are identified for further assessment and interventions.
• Help set a baseline for school goal setting purposes.
• Provide data on school programming effectiveness.

DIBELS are measures that help teachers and schools determine how students are performing on

important reading skills. DIBELS stands for Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills. These measures are designed for students in grades K-8

Timeline: Fall, winter, spring

Estimated test administration time: Approximately 45 minutes total for all tests per grade level per testing window.

TESTING SCHEDULE FOR THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR – PUBLIC

Please note: Updates to these dates may occur due to unforeseen circumstances.