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Minnesota standards, assessments approved under NCLB


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sept 19, 2008

Contact: Christine Dufour
(651) 582.8720

MINNESOTA STANDARDS, ASSESSMENTS APPROVED UNDER NCLB

READING, LANGUAGE ARTS, AND MATHEMATICS FULLY APPROVED

Roseville – The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) has fully approved Minnesota’s standards and assessments system.

“We are pleased with the United States Department of Education’s decision to approve Minnesota’s standards and assessment system,” Minnesota Education Commissioner Alice Seagren said. “Parents and educators need tools that gauge how well our students are learning the Minnesota Academic Standards. This system of academic transparency also provides the basis to make instructional adjustments so all students are prepared for success after high school.”

Minnesota standards and assessments were evaluated by USDE staff and external peer reviewers. USDE Assistant Secretary Kerri Briggs, Ph. D. concluded that Minnesota’s system includes:

• Academic content standards in reading, language arts, mathematics and science

• Student academic achievement standards in reading, language arts and mathematics

• Alternate academic achievement standards for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in reading, language arts and mathematics

• Assessments and alternate assessments in each of grades 3 through 8 and one grade in high school for reading, language arts and mathematics

This full approval means that Minnesota’s standards and assessment system meets all statutory and regulatory requirements for reading, language arts and mathematics.

A copy of the approval letter is attached.

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