Minnesota Tests

The American Institutes for Research (AIR) has been awarded the contract for the administration of Minnesota's statewide assessments. Resources for District Assessment Coordinators, including test manuals and directions, test monitor directions, training resources, item samplers, and software downloads, are available on AIR's Minnesota Assessments web portal.

Title I Assessments
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) and alternate assessments (MCA-Modified and MTAS) are the state tests that help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota's academic standards and 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 criteria may take the MCA-Modified or the MTAS.

Diploma Assessments
The Graduation-Required Assessments for Diploma (GRAD) are the state tests that fulfill Minnesota’s high school graduation requirement for students who first entered grade 8 in 2005-06 or later.  These tests measure student performance on essential skills in Writing, Reading and Mathematics for success in the 21st century. If a student does not satisfy the graduation requirement for an assessment during the first administration, there will be retest opportunities available.

English Language Proficiency Assessments
The ACCESS for ELLs and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs are the assessments developed by the WIDA consortium and administered to English learners in order to measure progress toward meeting Minnesota’s standards for English language development, developed by the WIDA consortium. Most English learners will take the ACCESS for ELLs, but English learners who received special education services and meet the participation guidelines may take the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs. A link to the WIDA Consortium website is provided under related resources.

 

Testing Calendars



  • Copyright 2012
  • Minnesota Department of Education