Opportunities for Educators
From WIDA
Participate in a WIDA ACCESS Event
Every year, we ask the WIDA community to participate in events and activities that help us review and refresh our assessment tools.
The WIDA ACCESS assessments are taken by a diverse population of students speaking many languages: students in big cities and in rural areas, students new to the United States and students born here. WIDA and our test development partners work hard to create an assessment that
- Reflects the diversity of multilingual learners
- Positively portrays students with a range of backgrounds
- Carefully avoids topics or situations that may evoke a negative reaction
While we work to do these things throughout test development via events such as bias, sensitivity and content reviews, classroom observations, surveys, expert panels and field testing, WIDA knows that our perspective is by nature incomplete. For this reason, we invite educators to participate in review of test content in development. We value the fresh eyes, unique perspectives and range of experiences that educators bring to items, and we revise test items based on this feedback from the field.
If you would like to contribute to WIDA test development work, please visit our Building a WIDA Assessment page to learn more and apply.
Please contact us if you have questions.
WIDA Client Services
866-276-7735 ● help@wida.wisc.edu
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From MDE
Applications Open for MCA-IV and Alt MCA Standard Setting
This spring will be the first administration of the Reading MCA-IV and Alternate MCA. All new assessments need to go through a process called “standard setting” before scores can be released. This process will take place in summer 2026 for Reading MCA and Alt MCA. During standard setting, Minnesota educators will work together to make recommendations of what students need to know and be able to do at each performance level and use the Performance Level Descriptors to determine what it means for students to demonstrate proficiency on the Reading strand of the 2020 Minnesota Academic Standards in English Language Arts. There are four performance levels for the new series of assessments: Beginning, Intermediate, Meets, and Advanced. The standard setting committees will make recommendations of the cut scores, which determine the corresponding score at each level. Watch the Overview of the Standard Setting Process for MCA and Alternate MCA video for more information.
MDE is looking for a diverse group of classroom educators representing English Language Arts education throughout the state. This committee will balance grade-level and content-area knowledge of the 2020 Minnesota English Language Arts Standards, geographic distribution, and the diversity of our student population. Participants will contribute their instructional expertise and knowledge of the standards and collaborate with peers from across Minnesota while earning Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and an honorarium.
Please encourage English language arts, special education, and multilingual learner educators in your district to apply to be part of one of these in-person committees next summer:
- Reading Alternate MCA Standard Setting held on June 16-18, 2026
- Reading MCA-IV Standard Setting held on June 22-25, 2026
Applications to participate in standard setting will be open until January 16. Committee members will be chosen based on grade-level and content-area needs, as well as experience with the 2020 Minnesota Academic Standards in English Language Arts.
Alternate Assessment Chat and Connect Series
What: MTAS/Alternate MCA test administrators and special education staff are invited to meet with MDE Alternate Assessment Specialists to give feedback, ask questions, and connect with other Special Education staff from across the state.
Why: In October, see an example of the new Science Alt MCA Individual Student Reports, learn about the information included on the report, and discuss Science Alt MCA 2025 Administration feedback.
When: Oct. 8, 4–5 p.m. Series will continue monthly, meeting the second Wednesday (new meeting day) of each month. The Alternate Assessment Chat and Connect dates for this year are Oct. 8, Nov. 12, Dec. 10, Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 11, April 8, and May 13 at 4 p.m. Register once for the entire series of monthly meetings.
Where: Via Zoom.
How: Register for the Alt Assessment Chat and Connect
For more information, contact ALT.Assessment.MDE@state.mn.us.
Clarifying the Connection Between English Language Arts Standards and Assessments
The 2020 Minnesota Academic Standards in English Language Arts (ELA) will reach full implementation in school year 2025–26. According to state statute, all students must receive instruction and classroom-level assessment in all standards and grade-level benchmarks.
In addition to classroom assessments, students in Minnesota take additional literacy assessments including the Reading Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) and literacy screeners. The first administration of the Reading MCA-IV will cover the 2020 Minnesota Academic Standards in ELA in Spring 2026 for students in grades 3–8 and 10. Literacy screeners are now administered to students in grades K–3 three times a year (see the MDE READ Act Screening webpage for more information about literacy screening).
MDE has developed the 2020 Minnesota English Language Arts (ELA) Standards and Corresponding Assessments chart to clarify how the 2020 Minnesota ELA Standards are measured across these three types of assessments: classroom assessments, literacy screeners, and the Reading MCA-IV. This chart is posted in the Assessment section on the MDE English Language Arts webpage.
The chart highlights the central role of authentic classroom assessment of all three ELA strands: 1) reading, 2) writing, and 3) listening, speaking, viewing and exchanging ideas. It may provide clarity about the connections between standards and additional literacy assessments that students encounter.
Opportunity to give input on future MCA tests
MDEMCACommitteeflyer2024.pdf
New Data and Assessment Literacy Learning Resources
Roadmaps for Online Learning Modules are Now Available
The Minnesota Data and Assessment Literacy (MnDAL) online learning modules offer an opportunity for school leaders and teachers to support their understanding of assessments and data use practices in the context of standards-based instruction and school improvement efforts. Twenty-seven asynchronous learning modules can be accessed at any time for individuals to learn at their own pace, and facilitation guides are available to support collaborative learning. Teacher and administrator CEUs are awarded upon completion of each module.
New roadmaps supporting various learning pathways are now available to assist you in your journey through the MnDAL modules. Two roadmaps for leaders and three for teachers each offer a sequence of learning around on a common topic or interest area. For more information, please see the On-Demand Learning page on Testing 1,2,3.
MnDAL:
Information on the MnDAL (Data and Assessment Literacy) program from the MDE Testing 123 website is linked here.