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An update from Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment — July 16, 2025
Important Dates
May 19–Sept. 1: Retrieve early ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS results in Test WES
Quick Links
The 2025–2026 Accessibility and Accommodations Manual is now available on the Resources/Recursos page of the WIDA website. This year’s updates include:
- An updated description of the Braille (BR) accommodation for WIDA ACCESS Paper, now including the Speaking domain
- A new Low Vision Script (LV) accommodation for WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten
- A Participation Decision Tree and accommodations checklist for the WIDA Alternate Screener
In addition, WIDA has released updated family handouts and refreshed several assessment webpages. Key changes include:
All pages now include a Resources to Share with Families section. If you use old WIDA webpage links, you will be redirected to the appropriate updated page. Look for a more detailed update in the July 14 WIDA Monday Mail.
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Districts that have received assessment results for the college entrance exam they administered (ACT or SAT) should enter requests for reimbursements in the Graduation Requirements Records (GRR) system for eligible students no later than Sept. 5.
If a district has not previously received reimbursement for a grade 11 or 12 student, districts will be reimbursed for students eligible for free/reduced-price meals (FRP) who are entered into GRR. If funding allows, districts may also be reimbursed fully or on a prorated basis for students who are unable to pay for the exam. Districts must determine the criteria for unable to pay and enter those requests in GRR.
More information is in the Graduation Requirements Records (GRR) User Guide and in the recorded GRR training posted to the Learning Management System (LMS).
Common Issues
If uploading a file, verify that all information is entered exactly as specified in the File Format section of the GRR User Guide and that the format of the data entered matches the required format for the cell (matching the row of sample data). Before uploading, delete the row of sample data but do not remove any columns from the file. If copying and pasting text from another document, use “Values” as the paste format to maintain formatting of the file format template.
In addition, any student identity error must first be resolved in MARSS and/or the Student ID Validation system before the record can be added into GRR. Student data entered in GRR must match MARSS data. If you receive the “Student match based on matching rules, but ID is different” message, check the following:
- A nickname has been entered instead of the full name (for example, “Ben” instead of “Benjamin”).
- The student’s last name is incomplete or not entered correctly (for example, “Carlson” or “Carlson-Hernandez” instead of “Carlson Hernandez”).
Reimbursement Reports
After districts enter reimbursement requests in GRR, they must confirm that the students for which they expect reimbursement are included in the reimbursement reports; these reports are refreshed each morning. It is important to confirm student information is entered correctly to avoid incorrect reimbursements made to the district. Two reports are available: The Claimed Student Detail Report and the Estimated Student Amount Report. The Claimed Student Detail Report details which records will be reimbursed (or the reason records will not be reimbursed). The Estimated Student Amount Report gives an estimate of the amount to be received.
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The Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment division is currently seeking candidates for the Data, Reporting, and Test Integrity Supervisor. This position will ensure current and newly developed statewide assessments are reliable, valid, and defensible assessments; assessment results are reported accurately; and research is conducted in a timely and meaningful manner. This position will manage the scoring and reporting processes, including scheduling and coordination with outside assessment vendors and MNIT, as well as collaborating with internal division teams.
If you or someone you know may be interested in a new and challenging opportunity, consult the position description and application instructions on the State of Minnesota Careers website. The Job ID is 86838, and the posting is open until Aug. 5. Visit the State of Minnesota Careers website for more information and to apply.
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Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Minnesota Department of Education
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