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An update from Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Nov. 6, 2025
Important Dates
Nov. 24-Dec. 13: Indicate the number of WIDA ACCESS Online testers for grades 1-12 and order test materials during Materials Ordering in the WIDA Assessment Management System (WIDA AMS)
Quick Links
For spring 2026 test administrations, Student Information System (SIS) and data warehouse vendors will have the opportunity to receive the following data:
- Regularly scheduled extracts of on-demand data for the Mathematics and Science MCA, Mathematics MTAS, and Science Alt MCA during the testing window, and/or
- Final data extracts for all subjects of MCA and MTAS/Alt MCA and WIDA ACCESS/WIDA Alternate ACCESS following the release of the DSR/SSR files.
These extracts will allow vendors to load the data directly into their system for access by school districts who enter into a data sharing agreement with their associated vendor and MDE. Vendors have the option of receiving on-demand data, final data, or both on behalf of their member districts.
Pearson has contacted and received interest to participate from the following SIS vendors and data warehouse vendors:
- JMC
- Nextpath
- Renaissance
- Sourcewell
For school year 2025-26, only vendors who have provided a commitment to use the extracts from Pearson will be eligible to receive regularly scheduled extracts from Pearson and/or the final data from MDE for the spring 2026 test administrations.
The SIS and data warehouse vendors will need to configure their system to receive the data in the file layout provided by Pearson.
If your district is interested, consider contacting your SIS or data warehouse vendor to encourage them to participate. If your SIS or data warehouse vendor is not listed above, you can request that they contact Pearson for more information at 888-817-8659 or submit a help desk request.
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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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Science Alt MCA Test Administrator Feedback Session (repeat)
Alternate assessment Test Administrators, Individualized Education Program (IEP) team members, and administrators who support assessment planning and decision making (District Assessment Coordinators, directors) are invited to attend a webinar with MDE Alternate Assessment Specialists to learn about the top six topics that Test Administrators gave feedback about for the new Science Alt MCA and what changes are being made to address the feedback. In the session, attendees will also be able to give their feedback to improve future Alt MCA assessments. Registration for this event will close on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 3:30 p.m. Registrations made after that time will not be approved.
November Q&A (2): Alt MCA
MDE will host a Q&A session for new and experienced DACs from 2-3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18. This session will focus on the Alt MCA, the alternate assessment replacing the MTAS. The Alt MCA was administered last spring for science, and it will be administered for the first time for reading in spring 2026.
This Q&A session will be hosted on ZoomGov, and advanced registration is required. Register here for November Q&A Session (2). Please note: All participants must register for the event using their email addresses associated with their school, district, or educational agency. 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. Registration for this event will close on Monday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. Registrations made after that time will not be approved.
The prerequisites for this Q&A are the following sections from the Procedures Manual:
- Chapter 2: Focusing on the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS)/Alternative Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (Alt MCA) (pages 22-23 and 26-29)
MDE collects questions from DACs prior to the event to help prepare and find relevant resources to share. After reviewing the prerequisites, submit questions for the November Q&A Session (2). Q&A sessions will not be recorded nor will CEUs be provided as they are considered additional supports rather than training events.
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MDE Closed Nov. 11
MDE will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 11 in observance of the Veterans Day holiday. Calls and emails will be returned on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
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Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Minnesota Department of Education
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