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An update from Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Vol. 3, No. 11: Aug. 4, 2025
Unite for Literacy Partnership Announced
The Minnesota Department of Education’s (MDE) Division of Early Education is excited to announce a partnership with Unite for Literacy and introduce our own state “bookshelf” known as Minnesota READs. This library is an incredible resource for multilingual learners, their families, their teachers, and other caregivers. MDE encourages you to share the link widely with your networks.
Unite for Literacy is a free online library. No accounts are required to access the website and there are no advertisements. Books for young children are narrated in more than 60 languages, including American Sign Language.
Printed copies of books in the library are also available for purchase at a reasonable price.
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MDE Seeking Public Feedback on Reading Performance Level Descriptors
MDE is currently finalizing the Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs) that describe grade-level learning expectations set by benchmarks or extended benchmarks in the Minnesota Academic Standards in English Language Arts. In addition to describing what it means to be proficient on the Reading MCA-IV and Reading Alternate MCA (Alt MCA) following the first administration in Spring 2026, PLDs have several purposes or uses, including:
- Facilitating interpretation of student test scores by educators and families
- Identifying classroom instructional changes that best support a student’s learning progression
- Supporting educators in the implementation of new standards and in the analysis of the depth of their curriculum, instruction, and classroom assessments
As part of the drafting process, MDE is holding a public review period to collect feedback from district staff, educators, and community members on the latest draft of the Reading MCA-IV/Alt MCA PLDs. This feedback will ensure that multiple perspectives throughout Minnesota are considered in the development of the final version of the documents.
Draft versions of the Reading MCA-IV and Alt MCA Performance Level Descriptor documents are located on the Performance Level Descriptors page of MDE’s website along with a survey link. MDE will be taking feedback until Sept. 8. If you have any questions, contact Dawn Cameron at dawn.cameron@state.mn.us.
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English Language Arts (ELA) Leaders Network Meetings
What: The Minnesota ELA Leaders Network, a partnership between Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Council of Teachers of English, will host bi-monthly virtual meetings during the 2025–26 school year. These meetings support implementation of the 2020 Minnesota Academic Standards in English Language Arts and the transition to the standards-aligned Reading MCA-IV.
Who: Anyone with a leadership role connected to K–12 ELA is welcome to attend. To join the ELA Leaders Network and receive updates, reminders, and additional professional learning opportunities related to ELA standards, sign up for the Minnesota ELA Leaders Network email list.
Where: Via Zoom.
When and How: Refer to dates, times, and meeting focus below. Register for the Zoom meetings you plan to attend.
ELA Leaders Network 2025–26 Focus: Digging into the ELA Strands
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English Language Arts Monthly Office Hours
What: Join MDE’s ELA standards and reading assessment team for monthly office hours, an informal opportunity to drop in and ask any question related to ELA standards, implementation, and the Reading MCA.
When: First Thursday of the month, 3–4 p.m., in the 2025–26 school year.
Where: Virtual via Zoom.
How: Find specific dates and Zoom registration on the MDE ELA webpage.
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Arts Standards and Requirements Introduction
What: This session will provide an overview of arts education requirements in Minnesota plus an introduction to the big ideas of the Minnesota K–12 Academic Standards in the Arts. All are welcome. This session is recommended for anyone new to the role of supporting curriculum and instruction in the arts in their district.
Who: District-level curriculum and instructional leaders in the arts. This can include teachers in leadership roles who support the arts for the district or school.
When: Sept. 17, 9–10 a.m.
Where: Zoom (links provided via email)
How: Register for the Arts Standards and Requirements Introduction. To be added to the Arts Curriculum Leaders contact list to receive future information and meeting invites, contact Arts Specialist, Alina Campana, alina.campana@state.mn.us.
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Arts Education Office Hours
What: Arts Education Office Hours are an informal opportunity to drop in and ask any questions related to state arts standards and arts education requirements. Join MDE’s Arts Specialist every third Tuesday of the month from 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Who: District-level curriculum and instructional leaders in the arts. This can include teachers in leadership roles who support the arts for the district or school.
When: Links to the Zoom meetings for each session are listed below:
How: Office hours can be joined using the links above. To be added to the contact list for Arts Curriculum Leaders to receive future information and meeting invites, contact Arts Specialist, Alina Campana, alina.campana@state.mn.us.
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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: 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
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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