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An update from Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Vol. 3, No. 7: March 10, 2025
Rulemaking Public Comment Period for Proposed K–12 Academic Standards in Health
In accordance with Minnesota Statutes, 2024, section 120B.021, Minnesota is in the process of creating statewide Minnesota K–12 Academic Standards in health. The next step in this process is the initial public comment period in the statutory rulemaking process, which started on Feb. 3 and will run for 60 days, closing on April 4 at 4:30 p.m. Central time. To provide feedback on the standards as a part of the statutory rulemaking process, review the Request for Comments document posted on the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Active Rulemaking website for the proposed K–12 Academic Standards in health. Comments must be submitted to the Office of Administrative Hearings’ eComments system (Revisor’s ID Number R-04924, OAH Docket Number 65-9005-40585).
Learn more about the standards review process on MDE’s Health Education webpage, including another feedback opportunity from the department. MDE’s feedback survey for the first draft of the Minnesota K–12 Academic Standards in health will be open in March, so please check the Health Education webpage frequently.
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New Resource to Support Teaching and Learning About Native Arts in Minnesota
MDE has recently released the Essential Understandings About Native Arts in Minnesota resource to be used to support the development of a Minnesota arts standards-aligned curriculum that authentically and appropriately supports student learning about Dakota and/or Ojibwe arts. The resources describe ways in which we may need to broaden our understanding of the arts when teaching and learning about the arts and cultural expression of Dakota and Ojibwe people. Used in conjunction with the required Minnesota K–12 Academic Standards in the arts, these understandings are supplemental key concepts regarding Dakota and Ojibwe arts and cultural expression. This resource also contains important considerations for developing curriculum and instruction about Dakota and Ojibwe arts and cultural expression. Keep an eye out for announcements about the next year-long Native Arts Cohort, a professional development experience for arts educators that builds on these essential understandings as foundational learning.
Note: These materials were created in close partnership with the Tribal Nations in Minnesota. They were not created for the purposes of Indigenous Education for All (IEFA).
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Invitation for Science Item Writers
MDE invites science educators to apply to be part of the Science MCA-IV Item Writer Training in Summer 2025. The training will be 4.5 days, with approximately 15–20 additional hours needed to independently complete the writing assignments. The 2025 item writer training will be focused on writing engaging grade-level phenomena and questions tied to the 2019 Minnesota Science Standards, with the goal to generate creative thinking and to engage unique teaching approaches to build a repository of phenomena and questions for the Science MCA-IV.
Schedule and Process Details
- Attend required training/work days:
- June 27 (virtual half-day)
- July 16–17 (in person all day)
- Aug. 5–6 (in person all day)
- Work independently to complete two phenomenon-based scenarios with seven to eight questions for each phenomenon by Aug. 11.
Benefits for Educators
- Build a robust understanding of and diverse perspectives on the 2019 Science standards
- Offer insights to the creation of quality assessments that impact 60,000 students per grade
- Expand creative thinking and develop engaging grade-level phenomena and item ideas
- Learn skills and practices that support strong classroom assessment
- Collaborate with science colleagues from across Minnesota
- Earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
- Receive monetary participation compensation
If you are interested in being part of this Science MCA-IV Item Writer Training, please fill out the MCA Science Item Writer Application by April 25. Selected writers will be contacted the week of April 28–May 2. Writers will be chosen based on grade-level and content-area writing needs, as well as experience in developing assessments.
MDE encourages any teachers and educators interested in becoming a science item writer to apply. MDE wants to increase the impact teachers have on our Science MCA-IV assessment and look forward to engaging with more teachers around the state. If you have colleagues who might be interested in participating, please send them this information.
Another way to be involved in Science MCA development is to register to participate in MCA Educator Review Committees. Educator input is vital in the development of items to the new science standards. We are always looking for more educators to become involved on the review process. This opportunity is open to third grade and above science, math, language arts, English learners and special education teachers. Please contact Science Assessment Specialists Jim Wood at jim.wood@state.mn.us and/or Judi Iverson at judi.iverson@state.mn.us for more information.
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Arts Educators: Provide Input on the National Arts Standards
The National Coalition for Arts Standards (NCAS) is launching its first review of National Arts Standards in over a decade, examining standards across all artistic disciplines—dance, media arts, music, theatre and visual arts. Arts education has evolved since 2014 when the last national arts standards were released. Now is your chance to help shape what comes next.
All arts educators, education and arts organizations, and community members with interests in arts education are asked to provide critical feedback to guide the process and help inform decision making. Please complete the Public Input Survey by May 16. Additional information and ways to be involved will be shared in the coming months. If you have any questions, please email NCAS. There will be more opportunities for public input when the Minnesota Arts Standards revision process begins in 2027–28.
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Curriculum Director Meeting
MDE will host its final Curriculum Directors meetings for 2024–25 on May 13. Please register to attend a meeting using the links below.
Curriculum Director meetings are intended to provide Curriculum Directors with legislative updates, standards implementation and timeline guidance, READ Act updates, information around educational trends or topics, and technical assistance on various topics—as well as an opportunity to learn about other MDE divisions and supports. New and experienced Curriculum Directors are welcome to attend either session. Curriculum Director virtual sessions are not recorded and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will not be provided as these sessions are an additional support rather than a training. 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.
If your district experienced a Curriculum Director(s) change, 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).
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READ Act Virtual Open Office Hours
Have a question about the Minnesota READ Act? Please join MDE staff for a virtual open office hour. If you have a specific topic you would like covered, please email the Minnesota READ Act team at MDE.READAct@state.mn.us.
Register for one of the open office hour opportunities using the links below:
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Alternate Assessment March Chat and Connect
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: Learn about common MTAS/Alt MCA administration questions and guidelines for data entry, share your feedback and have your questions answered.
When: March 18, 4–5 p.m. Series will continue monthly, meeting the third Tuesday of each month. The Alternate Assessment Chat and Connect dates that are upcoming for this year are 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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Division of Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Minnesota Department of Education
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