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An update from Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Vol. 4, No. 2: Oct. 8, 2025
Science MCA-IV and Alternate MCA Results and Resources
The Minnesota Academic Standards in Science were revised in 2019 and fully implemented in Minnesota school districts and charter schools during the 2024-25 school year along with the first assessment of these standards, the Science MCA-IV and Science Alternate MCA (Alt MCA), last spring. These assessments, just like the standards, are substantially different than the previous iterations of standards and assessments (MCA-III and MTAS). Results cannot be compared between the Science MCA-III/MTAS and the Science MCA-IV/Alt MCA.
The new academic standards focus on three dimensions of science learning, including practices, core ideas, and cross-cutting concepts, which together describe the process of exploring and explaining the processes, structures, designs, and systems that make up our natural and human-made world. To fully implement, students need to engage in practices including making observations, developing and revising models, and analyzing and interpreting data to answer scientific questions and design solutions to problems.
Fully implementing new standards and assessments takes time, and it may be a few years before we start to see the real benefits as educators and students become accustomed to the shifts in curriculum and instruction. It is also important to keep in mind that the standards transition plan a district chose could potentially affect student results during the first few years of the administration of the new assessment.
District leaders, including Curriculum Directors and District Assessment Coordinators (DACs), should develop a plan for communicating Science MCA-IV and Alt MCA results to the school board, school administrators, staff, families, and the public.
Results Release Process
Final student-level and summary assessment results are first released to districts in Assessment Secure Reports, beginning with District and School Student Results (DSR/SSR) files and then Test Results Summary reports. When initially released, these results were embargoed, meaning districts and schools could begin reviewing and using results for planning purposes but could not share or discuss them publicly. When MDE lifted the embargo on Oct. 1, final assessment results were then made available to the public on the Minnesota Report Card and the Data Reports and Analytics pages of the MDE website, and Individual Student Reports (ISRs) are provided to districts for distribution to families.
Contact your District Assessment Coordinator to find out your district’s process for accessing assessment results.
Resources
MDE has created a new resource to support districts with the release of the new science results and continued academic standards implementation. The Guidance for Science MCA-IV and Alternate MCA Results Release document provides an overview of the revised Minnesota Academic Standards and new statewide assessments in science, as well as guidance and resources for using these results for future planning and continuous improvement for standards implementation. It is posted to the District Resources page under Test Score Interpretation Resources.
In addition, the Science MCA and Alt MCA Performance Level Descriptors can be found on the Performance Level Descriptors page of the MDE website. They describe phenomenon-based learning of the grade-level expectations set by multidimensional benchmarks in the 2019 Academic Standards in Science. The purpose of PLDs is to:
- Provide the criteria for establishing performance levels (or cut scores) for the MCA-IV and Alt MCA tests at standard setting in the summer of 2025.
- Provide parents/guardians, teachers, and other educational partners with a description of student performance that can support instruction and assessment.
- Serve as a basis to develop summaries in student score reports to help with the interpretation of test results.
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Reading MCA-IV Accommodations and Supports
In spring 2026, the new Reading MCA-IV assessment will be administered for the first time aligned to the Reading strand of the 2020 Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in English Language Arts. There are several changes to the accommodations and supports available on the Reading MCA to align with the changes available in universal supports and accommodations in the new MCA-IV series of assessments. Below is a high-level overview of some of the changes on the Reading MCA.
Similar to the Science MCA-IV, translated and glossed word lists will be available to all students for Reading MCA later this fall. In addition, the English glossary support will be available in the online Reading MCA (items only).
Accommodations available to students with an IEP or 504 plan:
- Similar to Science MCA materials, for the Reading MCA:
- A 24-pt large print test book will no longer be available. Instead, the 18-pt large print test book format is improved to make the materials more manageable for students.
- A separate passages book will be provided with the paper test books (12-pt, 18-pt, or braille) to make it easier for students to access passages information alongside the items included in the test book.
- Assistive technology online test forms are available that allow assistive technology devices to interact directly with the test; this includes screen readers and non-screen reader devices.
- Read-aloud accommodations (script/human reader, text-to-speech, or assistive technology online form for screen readers) are now available with the new Reading MCA for eligible students. MDE must approve their use for each student. With these accommodations, the reading passages and test items are read to the student. Read-aloud accommodations will be an approved accommodation for a small number of students who meet one of these criteria:
- Students with documented blindness or low vision that severely limits or prevents them from accessing printed text and have not yet learned braille.
- Students with deafness or hard of hearing and whose print disability severely limits their ability to decode text.
- Students with documented blindness or low vision who use a screen reader in their daily instruction.
Later this fall, more detail about these supports and accommodations will be available in both the Procedures Manual for Minnesota Statewide Assessments 2025-26 and a guidance document intended to be used by district and school staff who have a role in decision-making and/or test administration with universal supports and accommodations for statewide assessments. This document, the Guidance for Universal Supports and Accommodations for Minnesota Statewide Assessments 2025-26, will be available soon on the District Resource page.
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MDE Literacy Division Launches Families READ Toolkit to Expand Student Reading Skills at Home
Please review this information provided from the MDE Literacy Division. Questions about the Families READ Toolkit can be addressed to MDE.READAct@state.mn.us.
Introducing Families READ, a new toolkit designed by educators to help families support their children’s reading skills at home. This collection provides families and caregivers with age-specific information and simple activities in five core reading skills—phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension—and represents Minnesota’s continued commitment to expand literacy support.
The new Families READ Toolkit includes easy, research-backed literacy activities families can use to engage minds, build family bonds, and set young learners up for a lifelong love of reading.
The Families READ Toolkit educator resources and family activities can be integrated into families’ everyday lives and are available now on the READ Act Families READ toolkit webpage.
Families READs Toolkit Overview Webinar
Join the MDE Literacy Division for an upcoming Family READs Toolkit Overview webinar. This session provides an overview of the Families READ Toolkit, sharing its key components and best practices for implementation. Registration is required.
Register for Families READs Toolkit Overview on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2:30-3:15 p.m.
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Alternate Assessment Chat and Connect Series
What: Join MDE Alternate Assessment Specialists via Zoom to review an example of the new Science Alt MCA Individual Student Reports (ISRs), learn about the information included on the report, and discuss Science Alt MCA 2025 test administration feedback. This is an opportunity to give feedback, ask questions, and connect with other Special Education staff from across the state. If you have questions, contact Alt.Assessment.MDE@state.mn.us.
Who: MTAS/Alternate MCA Test Administrators and Special Education staff
When: Oct. 8, 4-5 p.m. Series will continue monthly, meeting the second Wednesday 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.
Register for the Alt Assessment Chat and Connect
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Reading Alternate MCA Kickoff Meetings
What: MDE will host regional in-person and online Reading Alternate Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (Alt MCA) Kickoff Meetings. Educators will receive continuing education units. In-person sessions will include interactive activities to engage with the Alt MCA materials.
Who: MTAS/Alt MCA Test Administrators, District Assessment Coordinators, Special Education Directors/Coordinators, and any district staff involved in administering alternate assessments are also welcome to attend; however, the focus will be on the one-on-one administration activities.
When/Where: Registration is required.
- Oct. 9, 9 a.m.-noon or 1-4 p.m. Beltrami Electric Community Room, 4111 Technology Dr. NW, Bemidji.
- Oct. 21, 9 a.m.-noon or 1-4 p.m. South Central Service Cooperative Conference Center, Pine Room, 2075 Lookout Dr., North Mankato.
- Oct. 14, 9 a.m.-noon (Virtual)
- Oct. 23, 3-5:30 p.m. (Virtual). Note: a recording will be available at a later date.
Register for the Oct. 9 morning session
Register for the Oct. 9 afternoon session
Register for the Oct. 21 sessions
Register for the Oct. 14 virtual session
Register for the Oct. 23 virtual session
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Curriculum Leader Meetings
What: Receive updates from MDE related to legislation, implementation, and timelines pertaining to Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards. The MDE Literacy Division will be presenting information specific to the READ Act for 30 minutes after the morning meeting starting at 8:30 and before the afternoon meeting starting at 3:30.
Who: District/school leaders
When: Oct. 14 at 7:30-8:30 a.m. and 4-5 p.m.
Register for the 7:30-8:30 a.m. meeting
Register for the 4-5 p.m. meeting
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New Coordinator Training: Gifted Education Virtual Boot Camp
What: MDE, in partnership with the Minnesota Council for Gifted and Talented and Minnesota Educators of the Gifted, is offering a free virtual training series for new gifted education coordinators. This interactive series will provide tools, strategies, and support to help coordinators effectively serve advanced learners.
Who: Gifted education coordinators in their first three years of service
When: 9-11 a.m. on the second Wednesday of each month from September 2025 through April 2026 (Virtual)
Register for the Gifted Education Boot Camp
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Beyond Bright: Social & Emotional Learning for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Learners
What: This three-part virtual series explores how Social and Emotional Learning can support gifted and twice-exceptional learners, including those with ADHD, high creativity, anxiety, and identities from traditionally underrepresented groups. This series is a collaboration between the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Council for Gifted and Talented.
Who: Educators, counselors, administrators, gifted education specialists, and coordinators.
When: Noon-2 p.m. on the following dates, with featured speakers:
- Oct. 29: Dr. C. Matthew Fugate, Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education
- Dec. 6: Dr. Debra Troxclair, Lamar University
- Feb. 14: TBD
Register for the series via the Minnesota Council for Gifted and Talented website
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Minnesota Society of Health and Physical Educators Conference
What: MNSHAPE Fall Conference supporting Health and Physical Educators. Visit the MNSHAPE website for more information.
Who: Health and Physical Education educators
When: Nov. 2-3
Where: Lakeville South High School, Lakeville
Register for the conference
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National Science Teaching Association Conference
What: National Science Teaching Association Conference (NSTA) in Minneapolis brings together Science and STEM educators from across the nation and hosts presentations and workshops focused on science teaching and learning. The Minnesota Science Teachers Association will have a “Minnesota Pathway” of presentations specifically focused on topics relevant to Minnesota educators. Visit the NSTA website for more information.
Who: Science and STEM educators
When: Nov. 12-15
Register for the conference
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Academic Standards Opportunities
In each Educator Edition, we highlight the professional learning opportunities from Academic Standards available over the next two months. Please refer to the Academic Standards and Assessment Information Packet (2025-26) and content area webpages for full event descriptions.
Content-Area Leader Meetings
Computer Science
Oct. 29, 3-4:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here
English Language Arts
Nov. 13, 8-9:30 a.m. (Virtual) – Register here
Gifted Education Boot Camp
Oct. 8, 9-11 a.m. (Virtual) – Register here
Nov. 12, 9-11 a.m. (Virtual) – Register here
Mathematics
Join the Minnesota Math Leaders Group to receive meeting links
Oct. 9, 7-7:45 a.m. (Virtual)
Oct. 21, 12:30-2 p.m. (Virtual)
Oct. 16, 4-5:30 p.m. (Virtual)
Nov. 13, 7-7:45 a.m. (Virtual)
Nov. 18, 12:30-2 p.m. (Virtual)
Nov. 20, 4-5:30 p.m. (Virtual)
Social Studies
Oct. 22, 7:30-8:30 a.m. (Virtual) – Register here
Oct. 23, 9-11 a.m. (In-Person) – Register here
Nov. 19, 7:30-8:30 a.m. (Virtual) – Register here
Nov. 20, 9-11 a.m. (Virtual) – Register here
Office Hours
Arts
Oct. 21, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here
Nov. 18, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here
English Language Arts
Oct. 2, 3-4 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here
Nov. 6, 3-4 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here
Gifted Education
Oct. 8, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here
Health Education
Oct. 7, 7:30-8:30 a.m. (Virtual) – Register here
Mathematics
Oct. 1, 4-5 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here
Nov. 5, 4-5 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here
Science
Oct. 27, 4-5 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here
Nov. 25, 4-5 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here
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Division of Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Minnesota Department of Education
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