Winona Area Public SchoolsTesting and Assessment
State Testing
| 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 • Placement • School Improvement • Accountability | • Reading: GR 3‐8, 10 • Math: GR 3‐8, 11 • Science: GR 5, 8, 10 | • Reading & Math: Mar-5 to May-4 • Science: Mar-5 to May 11 |
| Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) | Alternate assessment based on alternate achievement standards for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. | • Differentiation • Placement • School Improvement • Accountability | • Reading: GR 3‐8, 10 • Math: GR 3‐8, 11 • Science: GR 5, 8, 10 | • Mar-5 to May-4 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 • Differentiation • Placement • School Improvement • Accountability | • GR K-12 | • Jan-29 to Mar-23 |
| ACT plus Writing (Paper) | College Entrance Exam. | • Interest Inventory • Student Profile • College Preparatory | • GR 11-12 | • April-3 • Make-up day:April-24 |
| Compass | College Placement Diagnostic for students who are not ready for Career and College. | • Placement • Evaluate incoming students • Connect students to the resources | • GR 11 | After Plan and before ACT |
District Testing
| Test Name | Description | Purpose | Grade Level | When |
| NWEA ‐ Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) | Computer‐adaptive, norm referenced achievement tests in reading and math. Nationally normed growth measure. | • Instructional Planning • Differentiation • Placement • School Improvement | • GR 5-10 | Fall, Winter, Spring |
| 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 |