Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA)
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments measure student progress towards Minnesota’s academic standards in reading, math, and science. MCA results are used by the district in its school and district improvement processes and reported to the public for school and district accountability.
Purpose: To measure learning of the Minnesota Academic Standards and to meet federal ESSA accountability requirements.
Required by: State of Minnesota
Participants:
Reading: All students in grades 3-8 and 10
Math: All students in grades 3-8 and 11
Science: All students in grades 5, 8, and high school students enrolled in Biology
*Some students with significant cognitive disabilities may take the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) instead of the MCA.
Dates: Students take the MCA every spring.
Test length: Untimed; estimated testing time is 2 hours for Reading, 1.5 hours for Math, and 1.5 hours for Science
Results: Student reports are sent home with students (in elementary and middle) or mailed home (in high school) before the Fall conferences of the following year. School and district results are available on the Minnesota Report Card
Resources: Additional information including Parent Fact Sheets and score interpretation resources can be found on the Minnesota Department of Education website.
Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS)
The Minnesota Test of Academic Skills is the alternative state assessment that some students with significant cognitive disabilities may take instead of the MCA.
Purpose: To measure learning of the Minnesota Academic Standards and to meet federal ESSA accountability requirements
Required by: State of Minnesota
Participants: Students in special education who meet the eligibility requirements
Dates: Students take the MTAS every spring.
Test Length: Untimed; estimated testing time is 1.5 hours for Reading, 1 hour for Math, and 1.5 hours for Science
Results: Student results are sent home with students (in elementary and middle) or mailed home (in high school) before Fall conferences of the following year. School and district results are available on the Minnesota Report Card.
Resources: Additional information including Parent Fact Sheets and score interpretation resources can be found on the Minnesota Department of Education website.
ACCESS for ELLs
The ACCESS for ELLs assessment measures English learners’ progress towards meeting Minnesota’s standards for English language development in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. ACCESS results are used to determine support and programming for English learners, and to evaluate program effectiveness.
Purpose: To measure progress towards English language development standards and to meet federal ESSA accountability requirements
Required by: State of Minnesota
Participants: All students identified as English learners in Grades K-12
*Some English learners who receive special education services and meet the participation guidelines may take the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs instead of ACCESS for ELLs.
Dates: Students identified as English learners take ACCESS every spring.
Test Length: 65 minutes for Listening, 60 minutes for Reading, 50 minutes for Speaking, 70-90 minutes for Writing
Results: Student reports are mailed home in the Fall of the following year. School and district results are available on the Minnesota Report Card.
Resources: Additional information including Parent Fact Sheets and score interpretation resources can be found on the Minnesota Department of Education website.
