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An update from Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Nov. 12, 2025
Important Dates
Nov. 24: 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
Due to an upcoming technology upgrade, certain MDE website content will be unavailable beginning Friday, Nov. 14 at 5 p.m. until Monday, Nov. 17 at 8 a.m. You will be able to continue to access MDE webpages during this time, but you will not be able to access downloads (PDFs, videos, etc.). The content in the Data Center and in some of MDE’s web applications will also be unavailable. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we make important upgrades.
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Translated and glossed word lists are now available for download in the Translated and Glossed Word Lists section on the Student Tools and Supports page of the Minnesota Assessment Hub. The use of these word lists is a universal support available to all students taking online or paper MCAs.
The translated words in these lists may allow students to access the meaning of unfamiliar English words in test items and contain translations in the following languages: Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Hmong, Karen, Oromo, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Note: The languages available in the Mathematics MCA Translated Word List were updated this year. Translated word lists are most helpful for multilingual learners who are literate in the target language and have encountered the translated terms during instruction. This may include English learners (ELs), former ELs, or students in immersion or dual-language programs.
In addition to the translated words, the glossary available in the Reading MCA and Science MCA lists provides concise English-language definitions. It is designed for multilingual learners but may be helpful for any student who typically receives classroom support with vocabulary development. This is a new support for the Reading MCA this year.
How to use the word lists:
- The word lists are provided in a spreadsheet format to allow flexibility in organizing and filtering based on student needs.
- Districts and schools can filter by grade level and language, then print or share customized versions as needed.
- Students should only be provided translations in their target language. Districts should hide columns for other languages.
- For the Karen language font installation, follow the instructions on the Student Tools and Supports page of the Minnesota Assessment Hub, if not already installed.
Guides for using these word lists are also available. Note: These lists are not intended for direct instruction or isolated study. They do not reflect local curricula or instructional decisions, and studying an isolated list of terms without context is not an effective way to build academic vocabulary.
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For District Assessment Coordinators (DACs) who attended the New DAC Orientation in-person or virtual trainings, Pearson enrolled participants in the LMS New DAC Orientation training and marked it complete. LMS Learners can download and review their Learner Transcript to confirm the training has been marked complete. Note: Pearson is unable to mark the training complete for participants without an LMS account. If Learners do not see the training appear as complete on their transcript, contact MDE at mde.testing@state.mn.us. Refer to the LMS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (2025-26) for instructions on generating an individual Learner Transcript in the LMS.
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The Test Security Training and Active Monitoring for Statewide Assessments courses have been posted to the Learning Management System (LMS).
The District Assessment Coordinator (DAC) is responsible for ensuring all staff involved in testing complete the Test Security Training, receive guidance for district-specific policies and procedures, and complete test-specific trainings prior to testing. Though training requirements vary by role and test, the Test Security Training is required for all individuals who are associated with any aspect of test administration or test content each school year. More information can be found in Chapter 7 of the Procedures Manual.
The Test Security Checklist, which is the paper option that includes the same content and may be used for staff in place of the Test Security Training, is posted on the Policies and Procedures page of the Minnesota Assessment Hub. Translated versions of the Test Security Checklist in Hmong, Somali, and Spanish will be available in mid-December.
Availability of trainings will be announced in the Assessment Update throughout the fall/winter as trainings are posted to the LMS. Refer to the LMS Test Administration Catalog Courses and Posting Dates (2025-26) resource on the Minnesota Assessment Hub for the expected posting dates of additional trainings.
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Individual Student Reports (ISRs) must be provided to parents/guardians no later than Dec. 1. Note: When results are delayed due to standard setting (as they were this year for the Science MCA and Alt MCA), efforts should be made to provide the results to parents/guardians as close to Dec. 1 as possible, but there is flexibility for this requirement for that assessment.
Each district decides if paper copies of the reports are distributed or if electronic versions are provided (such as through a secure parent portal). If provided electronically, the final version from WIDA AMS or Published Reports in PearsonAccess Next must be used. If districts choose to dispose of their paper reports (for example, because an electronic copy was provided), they must do so in a secure way (either through shredding or incineration) as the reports contain private student data. As needed, additional copies can be printed from WIDA AMS or Published Reports in PearsonAccess Next.
Districts determine how to distribute ISRs following best practices for data privacy. Regardless of how reports are distributed, districts should consider how to provide families with information (for example, a letter or flyer, in discussions at conferences) about how the results are used in the context of other district and school information.
More information on ISRs and their distribution is available in Chapter 11 of the Procedures Manual, starting on page 293.
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The Data Practices and Analytics division is currently seeking a Data and Research Analyst to lead and direct large and high priority educational program and policy data analysis, research, and evaluation.
If you or someone you know may be interested in a new and challenging opportunity, consult the position description and application instructions on the State of Minnesota Careers website. The Job ID is 90014, and the posting is open until Nov. 19. Visit the State of Minnesota Careers website for more information and to apply.
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In December, MDE will provide the Test Administration Training for all District Assessment Coordinators (DACs). This training event is required for all DACs to prepare for spring testing and will focus on new and clarified information from the Procedures Manual for the 2025-26 school year.
MDE is offering two virtual training sessions: Tuesday, Dec. 9 (9 a.m.-noon) and Wednesday, Dec. 10 (1-4 p.m.). DACs only need to attend one session. For those unable to attend a live virtual session, MDE will also post a pre-recorded training to the Learning Management System (LMS) on Dec. 12.
Registration links will be provided in the Nov. 19 Assessment Update. Please note: MDE aims to deliver accessible trainings and presentations for participants. If you anticipate needing accommodations, please contact mde.testing@state.mn.us. MDE requests two-week advance notice to provide accommodations and 48-hour notice to cancel them. If the request comes within two weeks of the event, MDE will still make an effort to provide the accommodation.
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November Q&A (2): Alt MCA (repeat)
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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Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Minnesota Department of Education
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