Testing and Assessment
State Testing
Updated 7/24/20
***Please note that these dates are subject to change based on several factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic
Test Name |
Description |
Purpose |
Grade Level |
When |
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCAs) |
Grade level tests of achievement against state standards in reading, math, and science. |
• Differentiation |
• Reading: GR 3‐8, 10 |
• Reading & Math: March 8 to May 7 |
Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) |
Alternate assessment based on alternate achievement standards for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. |
• Differentiation |
• Reading: GR 3‐8, 10 |
• March 8 to May 7 for all subjects |
ACCESS for ELL 2.0 |
A secure large-scale English language proficiency assessment for English Language Learners with four language domains of Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. |
• Instructional Planning |
• GR K-12 |
• Jan. 25 to March 19 |
ACT plus Writing (Paper) |
College Entrance Exam. |
• Interest Inventory |
• GR 11-12 |
• Oct. 6, 2020 for Grade 12; TBD for Grade 11 (subject to change) |
Compass |
College Placement Diagnostic for students who are not ready for Career and College. |
• Placement |
• GR 11 |
After Plan and before ACT |
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) |
Representative and continuing assessment for GR4 and 8 students at national and state level in Math and Reading |
|
TBD |
TBD |
District Testing
Updated 5/24/19
Test Name | Description | Purpose | Grade Level | When |
Kindergarten Inventory | Teacher administered test of early literacy and math skills. | • Student’s programming • Instructional needs |
• Kindergarten | Fall |
Formative Assessment for Teachers (FAST) Benchmark Assessment | Teacher administered screener of early literacy skills and curriculum based measurements. | • Student’s programming •Instructional needs |
• Reading: GR K-4 • Math: GR K-1 |
Fall, Winter, Spring |
Adaptive Formative Assessment for Teachers (FAST) Math and Reading | Computer-adaptive, norm criterion-referenced assessment that uses predictive validity evidence to set those criteria. | • Student’s programming • Instructional needs |
• GR 1-4 | Fall, Winter, Spring |
Instructional Text Level (ITL): (Guided Reading Levels) | Measurement used to determine reading level. | • Student’s programming • Instructional needs |
• GR 1-4 | Fall, Winter, Spring |
Standards Based Assessments | Grade‐level tests of achievement against state standards in some curricular areas. | • Instructional Planning • Differentiation • Monitoring Reports • School Improvement |
• GR K-12 | All Year |
Accuplacer | ACCUPLACER is a suite of tests that determines knowledge in math, reading and writing in preparation to enroll in college-level courses. | • Determine enrollment eligibility in concurrent enrollment courses. | • GR 10-12 | Spring |
AP Exams | The AP Exam is the final after completing an AP class. These standardized exams are designed to measure mastery of course content. | • A successful score can earn credit and advanced placement in college. | • Grades 10-12 | May |
Comprehensive Final Exam | Course level test of achievement against state standards and course content. | • Instructional Planning • Monitoring Reports • School Improvement |
• Grades 9-12 | Upon completion of a credit |
PSAT | The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a standardized test administered by the College Board and cosponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) in the United States. | • Interest Inventory • Student Profile • College Preparatory |
• Grades 10 and 11 | October 11 |