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An update from Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Vol. 3, No. 2: Oct. 7, 2024
Changes to Statewide Assessments
As the standards to which the assessments are aligned change, the assessments themselves must also change. The Minnesota statewide assessment program will continue to undergo changes over the next few years, as outlined by the graphic below. 2024–25 is the first year of a new Science MCA aligned to revised academic standards, as well as the new Science Alternate MCA (Alt MCA) that is replacing the MTAS. The new science assessments will be aligned to the 2019 Minnesota Academic Standards in Science.
While this article previews some key changes, detailed information will be provided in future resources and Educator Edition articles.
 With new assessments, MDE seeks to continuously improve the supports, tools, and accommodations available. As a result, some accommodations and supports will only be available for the Science MCA, as they are developed along with the new assessment. As new assessments in reading and mathematics are developed, those accommodations and supports will be communicated ahead of their first administration. More details will be available in the Guidance for Universal Supports and Accommodations for Minnesota Statewide Assessments, anticipated to be posted later in October.
The Science Alt MCA is a newly designed alternate assessment that provides additional administration options. It can be administered in online, paper, or hybrid (any combination of online and paper) formats to meet student needs. There will also be new test materials available to support Alt MCA administrations and new administration policies, including an early stopping rule. More details will be available in MTAS/Alt MCA resources, which will begin to be available in early October.
Due to 2024–25 being the first operational administration of these assessments, reporting will be delayed and preliminary On-Demand Reports will not be available for these assessments this year. In addition, because these will be new assessments measuring different standards, results from the new series of assessments cannot be compared to previous years.
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Initial Release of the MCA/Alt MCA Student Readiness Tools
The initial release of Student Readiness Tools (SRTs) for the 2024–25 school year are now available on the Student Readiness Tools page of PearsonAccess Next to help students prepare for the online or paper MCA/Alt MCA they will be taking. The online and paper SRTs are reviewed and updated regularly based on feedback from educators and students and changes to the assessment and available tools and supports.
The initial release includes some updates for the new Science MCA and Alt MCA, with additional updates to be released throughout the fall for Alt MCA and paper SRTs and additional updates for online SRTs in December. In addition, this release includes the Desmos online calculators, which are in addition to existing TI calculators. Refer to additional information about Desmos in the Calculator Options for Mathematics MCAs in Spring 2025 section below.
No login information is needed for the online SRTs. Students select their grade level to review videos and practice activities to learn how to navigate within the test, use the tools, and answer question types.
The paper SRTs are available for students taking an MCA paper test. The paper SRTs help students learn to handle the paper test books and how to write their answers to different types of questions.
Educator guides for both the online and paper SRTs are available. Supplemental information for the online SRT tutorials is also available, which provides detailed information about all test functionalities.
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Minnesota Questions Tool for Educators
In addition to using the SRT to ensure students are familiar with the test they will be taking, the best way to prepare students for the content of the MCA is to provide instruction that addresses the K–12 standards and benchmarks.
The released or sample questions in the Minnesota Questions Tool (MQT) are intended to support educators in understanding how the academic standards are assessed on the MCA and MTAS/Alt MCA, to help identify student misconceptions, and to provide examples of questions that assess student understanding at different Depth of Knowledge (DOK) levels. In the MQT, all Science MCA and Alt MCA items are aligned to the 2019 Minnesota Academic Standards. For Reading and Mathematics MCA, the items are released to the current Minnesota Academic Standards being assessed (2010 for reading, 2007 for mathematics).
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Calculator Options for Mathematics MCAs in Spring 2025
The Mathematics MCA has both an addition and expansion to the calculators available online.
The Desmos calculators have been added as options in TestNav for students taking the Mathematics and Science MCAs. Because of the content being assessed within the MCA, the test version of the calculator available in TestNav will be different than the standard Desmos app. The test version of Desmos is available as a stand-alone calculator on PearsonAccess Next and in the Student Readiness Tools (SRTs).
Desmos will add Minnesota-specific details to their Desmos testing website at the start of the 2024–25 school year, including the differences between the test version and the standard version of Desmos. In addition, the Desmos practice website will be updated to include Minnesota under the “Choose Assessment” link, as well as adding Minnesota to the Desmos Test Mode app.
Note: Using a separate device to access the Desmos app is not allowed except in specific MDE approved circumstances as an accommodation for students with an IEP or 504 plan.
Students will still be able to use the current TI calculator options: basic, scientific, and graphing. Desmos calculators will follow the same format as the TI calculators: four function, scientific, and graphing.
The online Mathematics MCA calculator options will also include an electronic version of the hundreds chart and multiplication table. All students in grades 3 through 11 will have the mathematics tables available for all questions where a calculator is allowed. If a student with an IEP or 504 plan typically takes the paper version of the MCA in order to use the hundreds chart or multiplication table, this decision should be reevaluated to determine if that is still necessary or if the student can take the online version of the test. Students with an IEP or 504 plan who will be taking a paper version of the MCA can continue to use paper versions of the tables as needed. Note: The online mathematics tables will be available in the December release of the online SRT.
For more information about these changes, refer to the Calculators and Mathematics Tables page under Preparing for Testing on PearsonAccess Next. You may need to refresh the page and/or clear your cache to see the revised Calculators and Mathematics Tables page.
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Supports for Arts Educators
MDE offers curriculum leader meetings throughout the school year for anyone leading support for arts curriculum and instruction in your district. Upcoming meetings will be announced soon. Email Alina Campana, arts specialist, to receive these announcements.
The Perpich Center for Arts Education provides professional development for arts educators and has several programs to support K–12 teaching and learning in the arts this school year, including an Elementary Art Cohort, Media Arts Cohorts, and a Theater Director and Educator Mentoring Program. For more information and registration links, visit the Professional Development and Resource Programs calendar on the Perpich Center for Arts Education website.
Many professional organizations support dance, music, theater, and visual/media arts educators. They provide professional development, mentoring, networking, opportunities for students, and resources. For a list or organizations and links to websites, visit the Arts page on MDE’s website.
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Ten-Year Anniversary of State-Funded Full-Day Kindergarten
This year marks the 10-year anniversary of state-funded full-day kindergarten, an important step toward increasing access to quality early learning for all Minnesota children. Prior to 2014, full-day kindergarten programming in Minnesota varied greatly. While some districts were able to offer a full day of kindergarten, many either required additional fees, or simply were unable to provide it. Minnesota is one of 16 states and the District of Columbia that require districts to offer full-day kindergarten.
Kindergarten plays a critical role in a child’s educational experience. Lifelong learning begins with play. Play uses exploration, imagination, and inquiry to develop cognitive and social-emotional skills and the confidence to engage in new experiences. It is a valuable and evidence-based teaching practice for all early learning environments, including in kindergarten and beyond. Check out MDE’s Play in Kindergarten document for more information on incorporating play in the classroom.
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Curriculum Director Meetings
MDE will host three virtual Curriculum Directors Meetings in 2024–25; there are two time slots for each session. The first upcoming 2024–25 Curriculum Director Meeting is on Oct. 8, 7:30–8:30 a.m. or Oct. 8, 4–5 p.m.
Curriculum Director Meetings are intended to provide Curriculum Directors with legislative updates, implementation and timeline guidance, information around educational trends or topics, technical assistance regarding feedback from survey responses, as well as an opportunity to learn about other Minnesota Department of Education divisions and supports.
New and experienced Curriculum Directors are welcome to attend either session.
Curriculum Director virtual sessions are not recorded and CEUs will not be provided as these sessions are an additional support rather than a training.
We also recognize that districts experience may have changed over the summer with staffing, so Curriculum Director Meetings are a great opportunity to network and meet other Curriculum Directors with less than five years of experience.
If your district experienced a Curriculum Director(s) change, please visit Schools and Organizations (MDE-ORG). Within MDE-ORG, select Contact List from the left menu, then District Curriculum Leaders. There, you can verify and update the necessary contact information for your Curriculum Director(s).
Curriculum Director Meetings are also an excellent opportunity to connect with specific MDE content specialists to discuss the tools available to districts for standards implementation.
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Supporting Science Standards Implementation: The Minnesota Conference on Science Education
What: The Minnesota Conference on Science Education (MnCOSE) is hosted each year by the Minnesota Science Teachers Association (MnSTA), and includes featured speakers, workshops, presentations that support implementation of the 2019 Minnesota Science Standards and more.
When/Where: Nov. 1–2, at St. Cloud State University
More info: Visit the Minnesota Conference on Science Education Website.
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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: Discuss newly revised Alternate Assessment Eligibility Requirements and show the soon-to-be released Science Alternate MCA Online Demo, share your feedback and have your questions answered.
When: Oct. 15, 4–5 p.m. Series will continue monthly, meeting the third Tuesday of each month. The Alternate Assessment Chat and Connect dates for this year are Oct. 15, Nov. 19, Dec. 17, Jan. 21, Feb. 18, March 18, April 15, and May 20 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.
Contact: Alt.Assessment.MDE@state.mn.us.
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Science Alternate MCA Kickoff Meetings
What: This fall MDE will be hosting regional in-person and online Science Alternate Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (Alt MCA) Kickoff Meetings. There is no cost for these sessions. Educators will be given continuing education units. In-person sessions will include interactive activities to engage with the Alt MCA Materials.
Who: MTAS/Alt MCA Test Administrators. District assessment coordinators, special education directors/coordinators, and any district staff involved in administering alternate assessments are also welcome to attend however the focus will be on the one-on-one administration activities.
When/Where: Registration is required and limited to 40 participants for each in-person session. Register for a Science Alternate MCA Kickoff meeting.
- Oct. 10, 9 a.m.–noon or 1–4 p.m., Bemidji: Bemidji State University, 1500 Birchmont Dr. NE, Bemidji.
- Oct. 21, 9 a.m.–noon or 1–4 p.m., Metro: Minnesota Department of Education, NE 400 Stinson Blvd, Minneapolis.
- Nov. 7, 2–5 p.m. via Zoom. A Zoom recording will be available at a later date.
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Minnesota STEM Convening
What: Join MDE staff on Oct. 14 at the Dean Lakes Education Center for the Minnesota STEM Convening, hosted by the MN STEM Ecosystem, SciMathMN, and Ignite Afterschool. This event will feature small group discussions on key topics like inclusive environments, STEM program alignment, volunteer and participant engagement; along with breakout sessions and panel discussions focused on the future of STEM education and workforce development in Minnesota.
Where: Dean Lakes Education Center
When: Oct. 14, 1–4:30 p.m.
More info: Visit the Minnesota STEM Ecosystem website.
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Minnesota Council of Teachers of English Fall Workshop
What: Literacy scholar Dr. Kylene Beers will present “What Matters Most: Helping Kids with Comprehension for Fiction and Nonfiction” at the Minnesota Council of Teachers of English (MCTE) Fall Workshop. Dr. Beers will share practices that help all students, particularly those who struggle with comprehension. The $175 registration fee includes a copy of the 2nd edition of Dr. Beers’ book When Kids Can’t Read—What Teachers Can Do: A Guide for Teachers 4–12, 5 CEUs, MCTE membership, breakfast and lunch. Workshop scholarships are also available.
Who: This workshop is geared toward practicing teachers, though all who work with literacy are welcome.
When: Oct. 28, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Breakfast and registration begin at 8 a.m.
Where: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Dr., Chaska, MN 55318
How: Registration and scholarship information are available on the MCTE website. Register by Oct. 16.
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Math Webinar Series on the Eight Mathematical Practices
What: Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM) and MDE are coming together to discuss the Eight Mathematical Practices.
Why: The Eight Mathematical Practices are Dimension 1 of the future 2022 Minnesota K–12 Academic Standards in Mathematics (proposed implementation year 2027-28 school year). These practices describe the processes, behaviors and habits of mind that are exhibited by students who are mathematically proficient.
When: The series started in September, with three parts in October and the rest continuing through the year.
Where: Via Zoom.
How: Register for the Eight Mathematical Practices Series through MCTM Events.
Contact: mctm@mctm.org.
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Assistive Technologies for Students
Assistive technology (AT) for students with disabilities can range widely and is defined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Amendments of 1997 as “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability” (U.S. Code section 20, subdivision 1401(1)(A)). In the NCEO Accommodations Toolkit, a summary of research articles around the use of assistive technology for students with disabilities said some students may benefit from “greater access to instruction and assessment when they use assistive technology” but also noted that more training and support is frequently needed on decision-making by IEP teams and educators for students in this area of accessibility because it requires considerations of both the student’s needs for AT and how to effectively use it.
To ensure students can access the online Science MCA-IV and Alt MCA, two AT forms will be available. Research suggests AT helps students from many disability categories access classroom instruction and aligned assessments. However, current assessments often are not compatible with AT devices that students use for instruction, particularly for students who are blind or have low vision (Ajuwon et al., 2016; Hahn et al., 2019; Kelly, 2009). The Science MCA-IV and Alt MCA AT forms attempt to address this problem on the statewide assessments and allow students to continue using devices that are familiar to them. An important consideration when determining whether AT should be used by a student on a statewide assessment like the MCA or Alt MCA is ensuring a student has had regular opportunity to use the AT during instruction, so they are prepared to use them on these assessments.
On the Science MCA-IV and the Alt MCA, the two AT form versions are one for screen readers with limited access to online tools and one for non-screen readers with access to online tools. Examples of students who could benefit from using the AT form for the assessment include those who use screen readers, eye gaze technology, switches, assistive communication or refreshable Braille devices.
More information about AT forms will become available during the school year. For assistance with questions about AT forms or assistive technology as it relates to statewide assessments, email Alt.Assessment.MDE@state.mn.us.
Notes:
Ajuwon, P. M., Meeks, M. K., Griffin-Shirley, N., & Okungu, P. A. (2016). Reflections of teachers of visually impaired students on their assistive technology competencies. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 110(2), 128–134. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145482x1611000207
Hahn, M. E., Mueller, C. M., & Gorlewicz, J. L. (2019). The comprehension of STEM graphics via a multisensory tablet electronic device by students with visual impairments. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 113(5), 404–418. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145482x19876463
Kelly, S. M. (2009). Use of assistive technology by students with visual impairments: Findings from a national survey. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 103(8), 470–480. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145482x0910300805
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Division of Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Minnesota Department of Education
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