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An update from Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Vol. 3, No. 9: May 5, 2025
MDE Collecting Feedback on Newsletter Communications
The Division of Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment aims to provide schools and districts with relevant and timely information. To do this, we send out three newsletters: the Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment Newsletter, the Educator Edition, and the Assessment Update.
MDE is collecting feedback on the communications you receive in these newsletters so we can ensure future information is clear, timely, and relevant to your role. Please set aside 5–10 minutes to provide your feedback on the Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment Newsletter Survey. This survey was shared in the April edition of the Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment Newsletter, and will also be shared in the Assessment Update. Recipients only need to submit one response. The survey will be open until May 30.
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Meaningful Access to Standards for Students with Disabilities
The Alternate Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (Alt MCA) is a redesigned alternate assessment that is operational in science this spring. The Reading Alt MCA will be administered in spring 2026 and the Mathematics Alt MCA in spring 2028. The Alt MCA is made up of tasks aligned to extended benchmarks, which are based on the general benchmarks, but reduced in depth, breath, and complexity. There are fewer extended benchmarks assessed in each grade and they are simplified so that students with the most significant cognitive disabilities can access them.
MDE has released test specifications documents, which list the extended benchmarks, for the Reading and Science Alt MCAs. View the test specifications on the MDE Statewide Testing website. Teachers can use the documents to better understand what extended benchmarks are assessed, though these are meant to guide the development of test items and are not instructional manuals. Many educators have expressed interest in receiving more instructional support to teach content aligned to the extended benchmarks. In response, MDE has held conversations about how to best offer guidance to educators while giving them the autonomy to meet individual student needs.
On Jan. 28, staff from the divisions of Special Education and Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment hosted a webinar called “Meaningful Access to Standards for Students with Disabilities.” The webinar includes an activity that demonstrates how to unpack a standard, which helps educators develop their own extended benchmarks from any of the general benchmarks they choose for a student. This exercise can even be used for subjects not assessed, such as social studies, and for any students who need scaffolding to access instruction, no matter which assessment they take. View the Meaningful Access to Standards for Students with Disabilities webinar on the MDE Communications website.
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Elevating Excellence: Partnering for Professional Growth in Gifted Education
During the 2024–25 School Year, MDE partnered with the Minnesota Council for Gifted and Talented and the Minnesota Educators of the Gifted and Talented to offer high-quality professional learning opportunities to educators, school counselors, psychologists, and administrators.
These special events included the New Coordinator Training: Gifted Education Boot Camp, the Empowering Underrepresented Gifted Learners book study, and presentations on integrating gifted education into Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), evidence-based practices, and social and emotional intelligence. All were well-attended.
Additionally, the 16th annual Hormel Gifted and Talented Education Symposium was a great success. Open office hours for general questions and the Scholars of Distinction Award Program also saw a high level of participation.
Please note the Upcoming Opportunities section to register for the 17th annual Hormel Gifted and Talented Education symposium.
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Completion of Universal Plus Grant Enhances Equitable Gifted Education in Minnesota Elementary Schools
The five-year federal Universal Plus grant concluded on Sept. 30. During the grant’s duration, selected Minnesota elementary schools collaborated with MDE to improve equitable identification systems and services for gifted and talented students. The grant focused on implementing computer science in second and third grade classrooms and the expansion of gifted services.
The grant project employed innovative strategies to serve gifted and talented students, promote effective instruction, integrate computer science in classrooms and schools, and conduct evidence-based research to broaden the future impact of equity in education.
Schools partnered with MOUSE, a national educational nonprofit, offering a variety of project-based activities in the STEAM model (STEM + Art: emphasizing creativity within science and technology). Schools had unlimited access to MOUSE’s educational content, along with support and training.
The schools involved in the grant included Northside Elementary School (St. James School District), Halvorsen and Hawthorne Elementary Schools (Albert Lea), Sleepy Eye Elementary School (Sleepy Eye), Windom Elementary School (Windom), and Burnsville Elementary Schools (Burnsville).
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Update on the Minnesota K–12 Academic Standards in Health Creation
Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards Development Process is underway for the creation of statewide standards in Health. The Health Standards committee has met several times and is preparing draft two of the health standards and benchmarks to be released for public comment later this spring. To be notified of public comment or feedback periods via email you can sign up for the Health Standards Public Comment mailing list. Learn more information about the standards review process on the Health Standards webpage.
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Hormel Foundation Gifted & Talented Education Symposium
What: The 17th annual Hormel Foundation Gifted & Talented Education Symposium is an enriching event designed for educators, counselors, school leaders and others eager to deepen their understanding of gifted and talented learners. This symposium features 24 sessions focused on equitable identification and systems of support, addressing diverse instructional, social and emotional needs, nurturing creativity, and building on student strengths.
When: June 10–12
Where: Austin, Minnesota
How: Visit the Symposium website for more details and registration information. Cost is $250.
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MDE Gifted Education Office Hours
What: Gifted Education Office Hours are held on the second Wednesday of every month throughout the school year. This informal session is a chance to drop by, ask questions, and get support from experts in Gifted Education.
When: May 14, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Where: Gifted Education Office Hours via Zoom
Contact: If you'd like to schedule a one-on-one appointment at a different time, email Wendy Behrens at wendy.behrens@state.mn.us.
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Alternate Assessment May 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 the new WIDA Alternate ACCESS Exit Criteria from Dean Reasoner, MDE EL Assessment Specialist, see an example of the new Science Alt MCA Individual Student Reports, give feedback on the 2025 MTAS/Alt MCA administration, and have your questions answered.
When: May 20, 4–5 p.m. Monthly series will begin on Oct. 21 at 4 p.m., continuing the third Tuesday of each month during the school year. Look for the registration link for the 2025–26 Alt Chat & Connect Series in the August Educator Edition. Register once for the entire series.
Where: Via Zoom, Register for the Alt Assessment Chat and Connect
Contact: Alt.Assessment.MDE@state.mn.us
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May English Language Arts District Leaders Meeting
What: The Minnesota English Language Arts District Leaders Network meets every other month to share information and resources related to ELA standards implementation and the Reading MCA, as well as network with colleagues across the state. May’s meeting will focus on media literacy in the 2020 Minnesota ELA Standards and the MCA-IV.
Who: Anyone with a leadership role connected to K–12 English Language Arts, including curriculum directors, literacy leads and coaches, and building literacy leaders.
When: May 27, 8–9:30 a.m.
Where: Zoom (links provided via email)
How: To be added to the contact list for ELA District Leaders to receive information and meeting invites, email ELA Specialist Kristin Bauck kristin.bauck@state.mn.us.
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Native Arts Institute and Cohort
What: This cohort supports K–12 arts educators to design meaningful and authentic learning experiences about Dakota and Ojibwe arts, learning with Iyekiyapiwiƞ Darlene St. Clair; artists, makers, and performers from Tribal Nations in Minnesota; and MDE arts specialists. Participants will put their summer institute learning into action by developing at least one unit of study aligned to the 2018 arts standards that integrates Dakota and/or Ojibwe arts during the 2025–26 school year, supported with three professional development days.
Who: K–12 Arts Educators
When: The cohort kicks off with a three-day summer institute Aug. 5–7, location TBA.
How: Visit MDE’s Culturally Responsive Arts Education page for more details and registration information, to be released in April and May.
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Culturally Responsive Arts Curriculum Institute and Cohort
What: The institute lays the foundation for a yearlong professional development opportunity and will support arts educators in identifying inequities in their current arts curriculum and ways to make it more culturally responsive by using MDE’s Culturally Responsive Arts Education Curriculum Audit.
Who: K–12 Arts Educators
When: The cohort will kick-off with a three-day summer institute July 8–10.
How: Visit MDE’s Culturally Responsive Arts Education page for more details and registration information, to be released in April and May.
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Empower{MN:CS} 2025 Computer Science Conference
What: Join the STEM/CS Integration specialist at the Empower{MN:CS} Conference hosted by Northern Lights Collaborative for Computing Education. The conference is a three-day computer science (CS) education conference offering five workshops that best align to your professional learning goals. Topics include artificial intelligence, data science, CS integration, and more. Come grow your own CS education skills and meet others from around Minnesota. Join us Aug. 6 for the first Computer Science District Leaders meeting of the 2025–26 school year.
Who: Anyone involved with or interested in K–12 Computer Science education, new to CS education or experienced CS educators, administrators, district support staff, CS integration or CS specialists
When: Aug. 5–7
Where: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus
How: View the Empower{MN:CS} website for more information. Contact nlcollaborative@umn.edu with any questions.
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Curriculum Director Meetings
What: The division gathers all Curriculum Directors for updates and to answer general questions from Curriculum Directors about legislation, implementation, and timelines pertaining to Minnesota K–12 Academic Standards. Information shared at our previous meetings can be found on the bottom of MDE’s Academic Standards page.
Who: Curriculum Directors and Leaders for local schools, districts, and charter schools.
When: May 13, (7:30–8:30 a.m. or 4–5 p.m.)
Where: Via Zoom
How: Register and join:
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Division of Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Minnesota Department of Education
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