Testing and Assessment

State Testing

Updated 5/24/19

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-2 to May-1
• Science: Mar-2 to May 8

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-2 to May-1 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-27 to Mar-20

ACT plus Writing (Paper)

College Entrance Exam.

• Interest Inventory
• Student Profile
• College Preparatory

• GR 11-12

• March 24, 2020
• Make-up day:April-7, 2020

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

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


• Instructional Planning
• School Improvement
• Accountability

 

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