State Required Assessments

Assessment Name & Description

 

Time needed to administer assessment

 
MCA – The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) are state tests in reading, math & science developed to measure student achievement on the state standards in those content areas.  These tests are required by federal law to be given to all public school students in grades 3 – 8 for reading and math, one grade level in high school for reading and math, and one grade each at the elementary, middle and high school levels for science.  Minnesota gives the high school reading test at grade 10, the high school math test at grade 11 and the science tests at grades 5, 8 and when students finish high school biology.  Results are used to report school and district progress on the state standards.  Official results are made available about 6 weeks after the school year.  More information about the MCAs can be found at http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/dse/test/mn/

Parent/Student Resources

 

Reading: 1-2.5 hours

Math: 1-2.5 hours

Science: .5-1.5 hours

MCA tests are not timed so students may take as long as they need.

These times do not include times needed to practice the online technology tools and test format.

MTAS
The MTAS is a state test in reading math and science developed for special education students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.  This test replaces the MCAs for those students, measuring progress in general curriculum.  Results are used to report school and district progress on the state standards.  Official results are made available about 6 weeks after the school year.  More information about the MTAS can be found at http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/dse/test/mn/

   

Testing is one-on-one and times will vary.

Access For ELLs
– Assessments for English Language Learning students developed by WIDA, a national consortium, to measure progress towards English Language Development.  All students in grades K – 12 identified as needing English Language Learning support are required by federal law to take the Access for ELL tests.  Results are used to report school and district progress for English Language learners on English Language proficiency.  More information about the Access for ELLs can be found at http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/dse/test/mn/

 

4 test subjects for a total of up to 3 hours.

College Placement Test 
- State law requires Minnesota High Schools to offer a College Placement test to all students during the school day during their 11th or 12 grade year.  Districts determine which college placement to offer.  See District Assessments for more information on Farmington's College Preparation Assessments.

   

NAEP 
- The National Assessment of Educational Progress.  Administered by the National Center for Education Statistics within the U.S. Dept. of Education.  Schools are selected to participate by NCES.   Schools are chosen to test reading, math, writing, or all three.  Districts that receive Federal Title I funds are required to participate.  More information about NAEP can be found at http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/about/