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An update from Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Oct. 29, 2025
Quick Links
The Learning Management System (LMS) contains training courses and pre-recorded trainings provided by MDE and Pearson and can be accessed from the Minnesota Assessment Hub (Minnesota Assessment Hub > Resources & Training > Training). There are two types of LMS user accounts:
- Learners: All LMS users are assigned to the Learner role. Learners complete courses in the LMS prior to administering (or any involvement in) statewide assessments.
- Managers: District Assessment Coordinator (DAC) and Assessment Administrator (AA) users in PearsonAccess Next are assigned to the Manager role in LMS. Managers track Learner completion of courses through running reports.
There are two ways for Learners to register an LMS account:
- Learners with a PearsonAccess Next user role are automatically uploaded into the LMS each morning. DAC and AA users can create “LMS Learner” accounts in PearsonAccess Next for staff who need to complete trainings in the LMS but do not need full access to PearsonAccess Next. Refer to the LMS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) resource on the Minnesota Assessment Hub.
- Learners can self-register an LMS account. The self-registration screen requires users to select both a district and a school before registering an account. Error messages let users know when they have not completed the registration fields correctly. Refer to the Self-Registering an LMS Account (2025-26) resource on the Minnesota Assessment Hub.
New for 2025-26: Trainings will be posted as individual courses and no longer embedded within learning paths. For example, the Test Security Training, Active Monitoring for Statewide Assessments, and Administering the MCA were previously grouped into the MCA Test Monitor learning path. These courses will now be posted individually to the LMS. Each course will be “tagged” according to test administration roles (for example, “MCA Test Monitor”). Learners can select the applicable tag to access trainings required for that test administration role.
Upcoming Course Availability in the LMS
Pearson and MDE review and update all trainings each year prior to test administration. Once these trainings have been updated and posted to the LMS, Learners can enroll in the course and complete the required trainings.
For a complete list of courses by test administration role, refer to LMS Test Administration Catalog Courses and Posting Dates (2025-26) resource on the Minnesota Assessment Hub.
LMS Resources & Training
The following LMS resources are now posted on the Training page of the Minnesota Assessment Hub:
- Signing in to the LMS (2025-26)
- Self-Registering an LMS Account (2025-26)
- LMS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (2025-26)
- LMS Test Administration Catalog Courses and Posting Dates (2025-26)
Additional video trainings are posted in the LMS:
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Learners in the Learning Management System (Test Administration catalog > LMS Trainings tag): This training provides instructions on registering and signing in to the LMS, as well as an overview of the system, including navigating the site, enrolling in courses, completing courses, and running an individual transcript to see a record of completed courses.
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Managers in the Learning Management System (DAC catalog > LMS Trainings tag): This training provides instructions for enrolling Learners in courses, marking learners complete, and tracking completion of trainings through dashboards and reports.
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The Minnesota statewide assessment program relies on input from a range of advisory groups to ensure its continued success and relevance. Each group plays a distinct role in shaping policies, improving practices, and supporting the implementation of high-quality statewide assessments.
The following advisory groups are open to educational professionals across Minnesota who are involved with or support statewide assessments:
- Assessment Accommodations Review Panel (AARP)
- Local Assessment Advisory Committee (LAAC)
- District Assessment Coordinator (DAC) Input Group (DIG)
- State Assessment Technology Work Group (SATWG)
Some advisory groups have already started meeting this year. SATWG convened in early September to review the spring 2025 test administration and discuss upcoming technology changes for spring 2026. Members provided feedback on communications, the Learning Management System (LMS), assistive technology online forms, and new features of the Alt MCA. LAAC has also met, focusing on the Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) migration project and its implications for MDE systems, key dates, and communications. The group also discussed opportunities for participation in the June 2026 Standard Setting for Reading MCA-IV and Alt MCA, and they approved the 2027-28 testing calendars for posting and public feedback.
For more details about each group, refer to the Statewide Assessment Advisory Groups Overview document posted on the Statewide Testing page of the MDE website, under the “Opportunities for Participation” expandable header. If you are interested in participating in an advisory group, we encourage you to complete the Statewide Assessment Advisory Group Application, posted on the same page. Membership for these groups is reviewed annually.
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All District Assessment Coordinator (DAC) accounts in WIDA AMS have been updated for the 2025-26 school year. This update also added accounts for new DACs who were listed in the Minnesota Department of Education–Organization Reference Glossary (MDE-ORG) as of Oct. 9.
New DACs should have received an email from WIDA about setting up a WIDA Secure Portal account or confirming that their existing account now includes Account Management permissions.
If you are a new DAC and have not yet received access to either system, first confirm that you are listed as the DAC in MDE-ORG, then contact mde.testing@state.mn.us for support.
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Understanding the ARC Process through District Examples (repeat)
District Assessment Coordinators (DACs), Special Education Coordinators, and Special Education Directors are invited to attend a webinar with MDE Special Education and Alternate Assessment Specialists to 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. Registration for this event will close at 2 p.m. on Friday, November 7. Registrations made after that time will not be approved.
November Alternate Assessment Chat and Connect
The Academic Standards, Instruction, and Assessment Division will host a series of virtual Chat and Connect sessions for MTAS/Alt MCA Test Administrators and special education staff. This will be an informal time for you to ask any questions around alternate assessment, share your feedback, and connect with other special education staff from across the state.
Join us via Zoom for the November session on Wednesday, Nov. 12 from 4-5 p.m. Please register for the Alt Assessment Chat and Connect. In November, participants will 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.
We will be meeting the second Wednesday of each month during the school year. You only need to register once to join any of the monthly Chat and Connects that work for you. However, when registering for the first time, registration for each session closes 24 hours before the meeting time. The Alternate Assessment Chat and Connect dates for this year are Nov. 12, Dec. 10, Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 11, April 8, and May 13 at 4 p.m. For more information, contact ALT.Assessment.MDE@state.mn.us.
November WIDA Assessment Webinars
WIDA and DRC will be hosting the following webinars in November:
- WIDA ACCESS Technology Support and Online Preparedness, Nov. 4, 1-2 p.m.
- WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten for New Test Administrators, Nov. 11, 1-2 p.m.
- Managing Student Information for WIDA ACCESS Testing, Nov. 13, 1-2 p.m.
- WIDA Alternate ACCESS for New Test Administrators, Nov. 18, 1-2 p.m.
More information, including the webinar links, can be found in the WIDA Secure Portal on the Webinars page. The recordings for WIDA Assessment Webinars are posted in the WIDA Secure Portal within a week of the presentation.
Sign Up Now! Exploring WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten (repeat)
WIDA will facilitate a live virtual webinar to support Minnesota educators and assessment coordinators in understanding the redesigned WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten assessment. The session will highlight new and updated features and introduce a supplementary Canvas module with helpful links, documents, and resources to support test administration.
The webinar will be hosted on Monday, Nov. 10, 3-4:30 p.m. Fill out the Request for Registration form no later than Sunday, Nov. 2 to secure your spot. This session is capped at 100 participants; if demand is high, you may be placed on waitlist.
Note: This webinar is supplementary to the required self-paced online training and does not replace the certification requirement.
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Share DRC’s Annual Technology Updates with Your Tech Team
Last week, DRC distributed an email titled “2025-2026 DRC Annual Technology Updates.” The message outlines important system updates released on June 26, 2025, in preparation for the upcoming WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Screener administrations.
Please review the email from DRC Customer Support and ensure it was received by your district’s technology coordinator(s). Highlights include:
- Updated versions of the DRC INSIGHT Secure Application (Version 16) and Central Office Services (Version 9).
- Transition to a Progressive Web App (PWA) for Chromebooks.
- Reinstated auto-update options for Windows and Linux devices.
- Audio streaming now available for WIDA ACCESS Paper Listening and Speaking domains.
- A new Documents tile in WIDA AMS provides quick access to tech guides and webinar schedules.
The email includes links to updated documentation and setup instructions in WIDA AMS. For questions, contact DRC at WIDA@datarecognitioncorp.com or 1-855-787-9615.
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Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Minnesota Department of Education
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