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An update from Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Vol. 4, No. 3: Nov. 3, 2025
Subscore Report Now Available
The Subscore Report is now available on the Minnesota Assessment Hub. This report provides an easy way for the public to view subscore data, also known as “strand performance levels” or “content-area performance details,” for the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs).
Users can generate charts and graphs by student groups to support instructional decision-making and planning at the subscore or strand and content area level.
The report includes strand performance levels and content area performance details for the Reading and Mathematics MCA-III, and Science MCA-III and MCA-IV. Note: Science MCA-IV is a new assessment, and results cannot be compared to MCA-III results, and trend data is not available. Math and Reading trend data can be viewed by selecting different years in the report dropdown, but trends are not shown in a single visual.
Strand performance levels and content area performance details are determined by comparing school or district performance to the state expectation at the “Meets” level. Results are reported as:
- Below Expectations (B)
- At or Near Expectations (N)
- Above Expectations (A)
For more information, refer to the Subscore Report User Guide.
For questions about the data reported on the subscore report, contact mde.testing@state.mn.us. For questions on report functionality, please contact the Pearson help desk at 888-817-8659 or submit a help desk request online.
Cross-Content Strategies for Instructional Planning and Student Support
Because MCA data arrives after instruction ends, its greatest value lies in strategic planning—informing curriculum decisions, instructional priorities, and support structures for the next school year. When paired with formative assessment collected at individual schools and collaborative reflection, subscore reports become a helpful tool for continuous improvement.
Subscore reports provide strand or content area insights into student performance. While they don’t offer benchmark-level detail, they help educators identify instructional strengths and opportunities for growth across strands or content areas. Because MCAs are administered in the spring as summative assessments, their subscore data is most effective for forward-looking planning and goal setting for the next school year.
Here are some ways educators can use MCA subscore data across content areas:
- Identify strengths and gaps to inform future instruction.
- Analyze strand/content area trends to identify areas of consistent strength or struggle.
- Use this data to plan for the next year—adjusting scope, sequence, and emphasis.
- For example, if scores were low in the Algebra strand across grade 6, grade 6 educators can adjust their instructional plans to provide more support in Algebra, while grade 7 teachers can reinforce foundational skills early in the year.
- Design formative assessments aligned to academic standards.
- Use subscore categories to guide the development of classroom-level formative assessments where more detailed understanding is needed to enhance student learning, providing more actionable data for current students.
- Use visual models, read-aloud, or hands-on tasks at the elementary level.
- Use performance tasks, text annotations, or real-world applications at higher grade levels.
- Guide curriculum mapping and resource allocation.
- Use subscore trends to adjust pacing guides, select supplemental materials, or focus professional development.
- Audit units to ensure alignment with standards expectations and address underperforming areas.
- For example, if Informational Text or Earth Science practices are consistently low, prioritize those in curriculum planning.
- Facilitate Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and cross-grade collaboration.
- Use subscore data to spark discussion.
- For example: Which strands or content areas are most challenging? What strategies are working?
- Share student work samples and formative results to deepen understanding and align instruction vertically with the standards.
- Engage students and families in reflective conversations.
- Use MCA data to help students set goals for the upcoming year.
- Share visuals or summaries with families to build understanding and support of what academic standards are asking a student to learn and be able to do at the given grade level.
- Frame performance as part of a broader learning journey to foster growth mindset and student agency.
Applications Open for MCA-IV and Alt MCA Standard Setting
Please share this opportunity with your English language arts, special education and multilingual learner teachers.
This spring will be the first administration of the Reading MCA-IV and Alternate MCA. All new assessments must go through a process called “standard setting” before scores can be released. This process will take place in summer 2026 for Reading MCA and Alt MCA. During standard setting, Minnesota educators will work together to make recommendations of what students must know and be able to do at each performance level and use the Performance Level Descriptors to determine what it means for students to demonstrate proficiency on the Reading strand of the 2020 Minnesota Academic Standards in English Language Arts. There are four performance levels for the new series of assessments: Beginning, Intermediate, Meets, and Advanced. The standard setting committees will make recommendations of the cut scores, which determine the corresponding score at each level. Watch the Overview of the Standard Setting Process for MCA and Alternate MCA video for more information.
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is looking for a diverse group of classroom educators representing English Language Arts education throughout the state. This committee will balance grade-level and content-area knowledge of the 2020 Minnesota English Language Arts Standards, geographic distribution and the diversity of our student population. Participants will contribute their instructional expertise and knowledge of the standards and collaborate with peers from across Minnesota while earning Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and an honorarium.
Please encourage English language arts, special education and multilingual learner educators in your district to apply to be part of one of these in-person committees next summer:
- Reading Alternate MCA Standard Setting held on June 16-18, 2026.
- Reading MCA-IV Standard Setting held on June 22-25, 2026.
Applications to participate in standard setting will be open until Jan. 16. Committee members will be chosen based on grade-level and content-area needs, as well as experience with the 2020 Minnesota Academic Standards in English Language Arts.
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Advanced Registration Required for Virtual Events
All virtual events hosted by the Division of Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment at MDE or Pearson will require advanced registration. Participants must register for events 24 hours in advance using an email address associated with their school, district, or educational agency. Registrations made less than 24 hours in advance will not be approved. MDE will manually approve all registrations prior to the event. Once registrations are approved, participants will receive a confirmation email with the link to the event.
This policy applies to any virtual event hosted by the division, including District Assessment Coordinator (DAC) trainings and Q&A sessions, Alternate Assessment Chat and Connect Series, and Academic Standards professional development opportunities and office hours.
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Beyond Bright: Social and 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. Through expert-led sessions, participants will gain practical strategies to foster resilience, belonging, and inclusive learning environments that honor both intellect and emotional depth.
How: Registration is $100. All sessions will be recorded and available following the event.
Who: Educators, counselors, administrators, gifted education specialists, and coordinators
When:
- Oct. 29, noon-2 p.m.; Guest speaker: Dr. C. Matthew Fugate, Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education
- Dec. 9, noon-2 p.m.; Guest speaker: Dr. Debra Troxclair, Lamar University
- Feb. 24, noon-2 p.m.; Guest speaker: To be announced
Register for the series
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Implementing the Alternate Assessment Eligibility Guidelines
What: Attendees will review current alternate assessment eligibility guideline resources and use real world examples to apply the decision-making model. Intended for direct service providers, Individualized Education Program (IEP) team members, administrators who support assessment planning and decision making (for example, District Assessment Coordinators (DACs), and directors). Registration for this event will close at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 3. Registrations made after that time will not be approved.
When: Tuesday, Nov. 4, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Register for the Zoom session
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Navigating Early Entrance: A Guide for Policy and the Evaluation Process
What: This virtual workshop will provide an overview of Minnesota’s statutory requirements on early entrance to kindergarten and first grade, exploring evidence-based practices regarding early entrance and school district evaluation of children who may be academically, socially and emotionally prepared for school earlier than their peers. Participants will be introduced to resources that support their policy development and the decision- making process.
Who: Elementary principals, equity leads, early childhood special education practitioners, principals, early education coordinators, gifted and talented specialists, school counselors, prekindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade teachers.
When: Nov. 6, 9-10:30 a.m.
Register for the workshop
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Understanding the ARC Process through District Examples
What: Learn about the history and purpose of the annually required Assurance Rationale and Context (ARC) process. The session will also explore how to best utilize district data and provide examples from district staff on how they use the ARC process to plan and implement their professional development surrounding alternate assessment and eligibility. Intended for DACs, special education coordinators, and special education directors.
When: Monday, Nov. 10, 2-3 p.m.
Register for the session
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November Alternate Assessment 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: In November, learn about the Eligibility Requirements and Decision-Making Tool for Minnesota Alternate Assessments, the new Reading Alternate MCA for spring 2026, and the Alt MCA early stopping rule.
When: Nov. 12, 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 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.
Contact: Alt.Assessment.MDE@state.mn.us
Register for the series
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Science Alt MCA Test Administrator Feedback Session
What: Attendees will hear the top six feedback topics that Test Administrators gave about the Science Alt MCA and what changes are being made to address the feedback. Attendees will also be able to give their feedback to improve future Alt MCA assessments. Intended for alternate assessment Test Administrators, Individualized Education Program (IEP) team members, administrators who support assessment planning and decision-making (for example DACs, and directors).
When: Wednesday, Nov. 19, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Register for the Zoom session
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From Page to Practice: The Native American Lives Series in the Classroom
What: Join the Minnesota Humanities Center and representatives from MDE’s Academic Standards team for an introductory professional development session on the Native American Lives Series—a vibrant new collection of biographies designed to support K-8 educators in bringing Indigenous voices, histories, and perspectives into the classroom.
Who: Educators and district/school leaders
When: Dec. 4, 7:30-8:30 a.m. and 4-5 p.m. (sessions are identical)
Register for the 7:30-8:30 a.m. session
Register for the 4-5 p.m. session
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Academic Standards Opportunities
Professional learning opportunities from Academic Standards available over the next two months. Refer to the Academic Standards and Assessment Information Packet (2025-26) and content-area webpages for full event descriptions.
Content-Area Leader Meetings
English Language Arts
Nov. 13, 8-9:30 a.m. (Virtual) – Register here
Gifted Education Boot Camp
Dec. 10, 9-11 a.m. (Virtual) – Register here
Mathematics
Join the Minnesota Math Leaders Group to receive meeting links
Nov. 13, 7-7:45 a.m. (Virtual)
Nov. 18, 12:30-2 p.m. (Virtual)
Nov. 20, 4-5:30 p.m. (Virtual)
Dec. 11, 7-7:45 a.m. (Virtual)
Dec. 16, 12:30-2 p.m. (Virtual)
Dec. 18, 4-5:30 p.m. (Virtual)
Social Studies
Nov. 19, 7:30-8:30 a.m. (Virtual) – Register here
Nov. 20, 9-11 a.m. (In-Person) – Register here
Dec. 17, 7:30-8:30 a.m. (Virtual) – Register here
Office Hours
Arts
Nov. 18, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here
Dec. 16, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here
English Language Arts
Nov. 6, 3-4 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here
Dec. 4, 3-4 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here
Gifted Education
Dec. 10, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here
Mathematics
Nov. 5, 4-5 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here
Dec. 3, 4-5 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here
Science
Nov. 25, 4-5 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here
Dec. 23, 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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