Professional DevelopmentAccountability Programs :

The Assessment division offers professional development opportunities throughout the year to assist school administrators and educators in administering and using state assessments. Offerings include conferences, workshops, on-demand training and opportunities to serve on advisory panels. Details on events and workshops can be found in the new agency-wide calendar. View the calendar by using the “Calendar” link at the top of this page. Sort by sponsor to view all events hosted by the Assessment division.

The Minnesota Assessment Conference is planned for Thursday, August 6, 2009 at Northwestern College in St. Paul. District Assessment Coordinators, teachers, and administrators will have opportunities to learn more about using test data, instructional practices that raise student achievement, plus many additional topics related to statewide assessment.

Pretest Workshops are conducted around the state in January each year to help District Assessment Coordinators (DACs) prepare for spring testing.  A list of sites and registration information is sent out to DACs in the fall, and will also be posted in MDE's Event Calendar.

On-demand Training Resources
The following recordings are provided to enable you to view information on a variety of topics at a time and place most convenient for you. The following narrated presentations are now available.  No special software is required to view the recordings.  You will be asked for your name and district before viewing the presentation. 

Embedded Questioning Strategy
This session explains and demonstrates the methodology and application of the embedded questioning strategy to the MCA-II Reading Samplers and general education curriculum. The embedded questioning strategy increases reading comprehension by heightening students’ metacognition (38 minutes). You may download and print the accompanying PowerPoint file if you wish to take notes while viewing the presentation.

Parent Guide to the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS)
A narrated presentation of information for parents about the MTAS, Minnesota's alternate assessment for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities (37 minutes).  You may download and print the accompanying PowerPoint file if you wish to take notes while viewing the presentation.