General Testing Information
General Resources:
- 2025-26 SPPS District Test Security Procedures
- Six Common Questions about Test Security for Statewide Assessments
- The Cellphone Toolkit by MESPA (MN Elementary School Principals Association)
- Snapshot of SPPS District and Statewide Assessments
- School Principal's Roles and Responsibilities for Testing (MDE & SPPS)
SPPS Assessment Information for Families:
- MDE Statewide Testing Information for Families
- ACCESS Test Information for Families
- ACT Test Information for Families
- MCA Test Information for Families
- Toolkit for Families: Understanding Statewide Assessment Results
Resources for Educators:
- What Does it Mean to "Abide By the Embargo"?
- Student and School level results are embargoed until public release late August 2025
- 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 Results (MDE)
- Appropriate and Inappropriate Uses of MCA Results (MDE)
- Interpretive Guide to Statewide Assessments (MDE)
- 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 that are given every year in the spring. The MCAs are aligned to 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 how districts and schools are teaching the Minnesota Academic Standards. Schools use the information to improve curriculum materials and student support. Teachers look for areas where students do well so they can reinforce the ways they teach these skills. Schools and districts also look for areas where they can improve their curriculum and instruction.
Participation in the MCAs
When your student takes the MCA, it helps your school and district see how well their teaching and programs are working for all students. The more students who participate, the more information districts and schools have to make informed decisions about how to use money, staff, and resources to support every student’s learning.
MDE Statewide Testing
- MDE Testing Contact Information (for reporting security concerns):
- mde.testing@state.mn.us
- 651-582-8674