General Testing Information
General Resources:
- 2023-24 SPPS District Test Security Procedures
- Six Common Questions about Test Security for Statewide Assessments
- The Cellphone Toolkit by MESPA (MN Elementary School Principals Association)
- General Overview of SPPS District and Statewide Assessments
- School Principal's Roles and Responsibilities for Testing (MDE & SPPS)
- SPPS Assessment Information for Families:
- Resources for Educators:
- What Does it Mean to "Abide By the Embargo"?
- Student and School level results are embargoed until public release late August 2024
- Testing 1, 2, 3: A Resource for Teachers - Tools for using and understanding testing data in the classroom: Assessing, Analyzing, and Taking Action
- Sign up for 'Educator Edition' - A monthly newsletter that is the combined successor to both the Testing 1, 2, 3 and the Curriculum Directors newsletters. Each month will feature: Updates From MDE, Upcoming Opportunities, and Important Ideas and Research.
- Statewide Testing: 6 Reasons Why - answers to common questions about testing
- Appropriate and Inappropriate Uses of ACCESS for ELLs Results (MDE)
- Appropriate and Inappropriate Uses of MCA Results (MDE)
- Interpretive Guide to Statewide Assessments (MDE)
- What Does it Mean to "Abide By the Embargo"?
- School Assessment Coordinator Stipend information (from contract language)
Purpose of Assessments:
What are the MCAs?
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) are assessments in reading, mathematics, and science and are administered every year. The MCAs are based on the Minnesota Academic Standards, which specify what students in a particular grade should know and be able to do.
Why do students take the MCAs?
The MCAs are used to gather information about the alignment of districts’ and schools’ curriculum and instruction with state academic standards. Schools use the information to improve curriculum materials and student support. Educators look for areas where students do well so they can reinforce the ways they teach these skills. Educators also look for areas where they can improve standards-based curriculum and instruction.
Participation in the MCAs
Student participation in the MCAs is important because it gives your school and district the opportunity to evaluate their curriculum and instruction to ensure all students have access to a high-quality education. The more students who participate, the more accurate the data is for districts and schools to make informed decisions about how to use money and resources to support all students.
MDE Statewide Testing
- MDE Testing Contact Information (for reporting security concerns):
- mde.testing@state.mn.us
- 651-582-8674