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An update from Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Aug. 6, 2025
Important Dates
Sept. 5: Deadline to submit reimbursement requests in GRR
Quick Links
The New DAC Reporting Training 2 is now posted on the Learning Management System (LMS). This training focuses on the Test Results Summary and the public release of results, and it is the second of two reporting trainings designed to support new DACs through the reporting stages. The prerequisites for this training include:
- Chapter 11 (Statewide Assessment Results) from the Procedures Manual
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Appropriate and Inappropriate Uses of MCA Resultsand Appropriate and Inappropriate Uses of WIDA ACCESS Results infographics posted on the District Resources page (under the Test Score Interpretation Resources expandable heading)
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New DAC Reporting Training 1, which was posted to the LMS in July and covers MDE’s secure systems, reporting stages, and DSR/SSR files
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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 (dawn.cameron@state.mn.us).
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This month, Pearson will transition from the current non-secure PearsonAccess Next website (minnesota.pearsonaccessnext.com) to a new website, the Minnesota Assessment Hub. This website will remain non-secure, meaning it is accessible to district and school staff, families, students, and the general public without a username or login. The Minnesota Assessment Hub will also contain links to all Pearson services and resources used by Minnesota school districts for test administration, training, and reporting. After the transition takes place, users accessing the non-secure PearsonAccess Next website will be redirected to the new Minnesota Assessment Hub.
Information will be provided in next week’s Assessment Update.
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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 what 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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Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Minnesota Department of Education
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