DAC CornerAccountability Programs : Minnesota Department of Education

DAC Corner

DAC Corner

District Assessment Coordinators (DACs) are the school district's main contact for the administration of state assessments. The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) provides information and assistance to DACs including testing calendars, newsletters, information about online testing, the Procedures Manual and other policies and procedures, and information to help DACs edit and use test data.

Information on how to sign up for the weekly DAC Update is provided under the Communication section link.

Test Administrators Prepare for 2009 Assessments
There are several resources available for those who are administering the 2009 statewide assessments. In January 2009, Pretest Workshops for District Assessment Coordinators will be offered to address many issues related to paper-pencil and online test administration. Search for “Pretest Workshops” on the MDE Calendar, linked above.

Need help setting up computers for online testing? Recorded and live WebEx training sessions are being offered December 11 and 17, 2008, and in February 2009.  For details and registration information, send an email to mnonline@support.pearson.com

Training sessions are planned on the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) in March 2009. Contact your Area Code Representative for more information on these sessions.

Online Testing
The Science MCA-II and the Mathematics Test for English Language Learners (MTELL) are Minnesota's current computer-delivered assessments. They were administered in spring 2008.  A third computer-delivered test, the Reading GRAD retests, became operational in fall 2008. See the Online Initiative section for general information and resources for online testing. Minimum requirements, software, manuals, training and other resources are available on the Minnesota Online Assessments Website hosted by Pearson Educational Measurement. See Related Links.

* Links to third-party sites are provided as a service to Minnesota Department of Education Website visitors. See our disclaimer regarding these sites in our copyright information linked at the bottom of this page.  Links will open in a new browser window.

Test Monitor Training  105Kb (2/7/06)
     A PowerPoint presentation for DACs who are training test monitors for the state assessments (MCA-IIs/TEAE/MN SOLOM).
Test WES Instructions for Supintendents  329Kb (5/6/08)
     Instructions for creating an account in or modifying access to Test WES.
Test WES Memo, May 2008  99Kb (5/5/08)
     Memo about superintendent review of district access to Test WES.
Test WES Superintendent Permission Request Form  73Kb (12/9/08)