An update from Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment

Vol. 4, No. 4: Dec. 1, 2025

• Updates From MDE
• Upcoming Opportunities

Updates From MDE

Connecting Updated WIDA Standards to Instruction and Assessment

The 2025-26 school year will mark the full implementation of the WIDA ELD Standards Framework, 2020 Edition. This shift brings exciting updates to how we instruct and assess English learners (ELs) across Minnesota.

Assessments Reflecting Instructional Shifts

WIDA has refreshed its suite of English language proficiency accountability assessments to align with the updated standards. These changes are designed to better capture the ways multilingual learners use language in academic settings and to support instruction that builds on students’ strengths. Highlights include:

• Assessment names have been updated to remove the "for ELLs" designation. The updated names are: WIDA ACCESS, WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten, and WIDA Alternate ACCESS.
• The revised WIDA ACCESS will look and feel the same for students and educators but will feature new items and updated scoring rubrics.
• The WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten has been improved and redesigned with educator input. The assessment features simplified materials and a single storyline across all domains for a more streamlined administration experience for students.
• The revised assessments feature expanded accessibility options and supports, including ASL video translations for WIDA ACCESS Online Test Administrator Scripts, and a Low Vision Script accommodation for WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten.

Looking Ahead: Using 2026 Results

When an assessment is administered for the first time, final results are delayed due to standard setting. The standard setting process establishes cut scores for each English language proficiency level across all domains and composites. Here is what you can expect:

• Early Student-Level Results (late spring 2026): These will be available on the regular timeline in spring and can be used for EL reclassification and exit decisions. These results will reflect new scale scores mapped to the current proficiency levels.
• Standard Setting (July 2026): WIDA will set new proficiency level cut scores.
• Individual Student Reports (late summer 2026): These reports will retain the existing proficiency levels and will not reflect the new proficiency levels from the July standard setting. Updates will be shared as available, but exit decisions for the 2026-27 school year will not be affected.

Proficiency and Exit Criteria

Following WIDA's 2026 standard setting, MDE will begin a process to review and update the state’s definition of proficiency and exit criteria for WIDA ACCESS. Additional details will be shared as they become available.

Key Resources

Full implementation of updated standards and revised assessments takes time. Student results may be influenced by local transition timelines, curriculum and instruction changes, and student familiarity with revised assessment tasks. The following resources may be helpful as you plan for ongoing implementation and communication:

• WIDA ACCESS in 2025-26: Information on the revised assessments and standard setting
• Engaging Families and Communities: Multilingual flyers and communication tools
• English Language Development Standards: Implementation support for the updated ELD standards
• Using Assessment Results During the Transition to Updated English Language Development Standards: Guidance for interpreting and communicating 2026 results

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Opportunity to Elevate Leader Voices: Reading MCA-IV and Alt MCA Standard Setting Applications Open

This spring will be the first administration of the Reading MCA-IV and Alternate MCA. All new assessments need to go through a process called “standard setting” before scores can be released. During standard setting, Minnesota educators recommend what students need to know and be able to do on the Reading strand of the Academic Standards in English Language Arts and determine what it means to be proficient on these statewide assessments. To learn more about the standard setting process, watch the Overview of the Standard Setting Process for MCA and Alternate MCA video.

Please consider applying or encouraging English language arts, special education, and multilingual learner teacher leaders in your district to apply to participate in one of the two standard setting committees. 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. The following in-person standard setting committees will be held next summer:

• Reading Alternate MCA: June 16-18.
• Reading MCA-IV: June 22-25.

Applications 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 Standards in English Language Arts.

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Accommodations and Universal Supports Resources for 2025-26

All public-school students participate in statewide assessments, and it is important to clarify the role of universal supports and accommodations when considering how students will participate in the English language proficiency accountability assessments (WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS) and the standards-based accountability assessments (MCA and MTAS/Alt MCA). Decisions to provide universal supports or accommodations for students should be a collaborative one focused on the strengths and needs of each individual student. Processes must be in place to ensure educators are aware of the available universal supports or accommodations and understand how to make appropriate decisions about how each student will participate in the current year’s assessment(s) prior to testing.

Two resources are available on the District Resources page of the MDE website (under the Universal Supports and Accommodations expandable heading) to support district and school staff who have a role in decision-making and/or test administration with universal supports and accommodations:

• Guidance for Universal Supports and Accommodations for Minnesota Statewide Assessments 2025-26: This resource provides detailed descriptions of the available universal supports and accommodations, including guidance for when and how to select and administer tests with each support and accommodation.
• 2025-26 MCA Supports and Accommodations: This infographic is a quick reference resource that summarizes the available universal supports and accommodations for the MCAs.

The Student Readiness Tools (SRTs) on the Minnesota Assessment Hub includes additional information (such as the purpose and functionality) of various test supports and accommodations along with opportunities for educators to experience or practice using them as they are making these decisions or preparing for test administration. Both paper and online SRTs are available. No login information is required to access the SRTs.

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Alternate MCA Student Readiness Tools

Updated Alternate MCA Student Readiness Tools (SRTs) are now available for the 2025-26 school year on the Minnesota Assessment Hub. The Alt MCA SRTs are available for students taking online, paper, or hybrid (any combination of online and paper) administrations of the new Reading Alt MCA and the Science Alt MCA. It is recommended that educators who will be administering the Alt MCA use these SRTs to familiarize themselves with the online and paper tests when making decisions about the appropriate test administration mode for each student. The Alt MCA SRTs can then be used with their students to help them become familiar with the test environment and materials using the online and/or paper sample questions.

For the online Alt MCA SRTs, educators and students can first review the overview video and then select either the Reading or Science Online Form button to practice navigating within the test, using the tools and test supports, and answering different question types. The Alternate MCA SRT Supplemental Information guide provides detailed information about the online testing platform (TestNav) and outlines how students and Test Administrators will progress through the test and use the various tools and test settings. Note: No login information is needed to access the SRTs.

The paper Alt MCA SRTs include sample test materials for both reading and science, including the new test materials for the Reading Alt MCA. Educators can use these materials to practice navigating between the paper test materials or using some materials alongside the online SRTs to simulate a hybrid test administration. Note: The online and paper Alt MCA SRTs contain the same content.

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Additional Science MCA-IV Released Phenomena in the Minnesota Questions Tool

The Minnesota Questions Tool (MQT) provides access to released questions from past Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) and MTAS/Alternate MCA across mathematics, reading, and science. This tool is intended to support educators in understanding how the academic standards are assessed on the MCA and MTAS/Alternate MCA, to help identify student misconceptions, and to show assessment of student learning at varied Depth of Knowledge (DOK) levels. In October, several new phenomena and questions in each grade have been released for the Science MCA-IV.

As a reminder, released questions in the MQT are aligned to benchmarks in the relevant Minnesota Academic Standards in Mathematics, English Language Arts, or Science:

If you have questions about the MQT, contact mde.testing@state.mn.us.

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Opportunities for Participation in Assessment Advisory Groups

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)

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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Nature Based Learning Resources for Arts and Science Pre-K through Grade 2

We are excited to share two new Ideas Guides highlighting connections between Nature-Based Learning opportunities in prekindergarten and grades K-2 for arts and science. These guides were developed through a collaboration between MDE Academic Standards team, MDE Early Learning Team, and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. They are intended to support connections between the Early Childhood Indicators of Progress (ECIPS) and the Minnesota Academic Standards in Arts and Science.

You can find these guides, and other helpful resources to support Outdoor and Nature-Based Learning on the Department of Children, Youth, and Families Outdoor and Nature-Based Learning page.

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MTAS/Alternate MCA Eligibility Requirements and the Assurance, Rationale and Context Process

Minnesota's alternate assessment, the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) or Alternate Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (Alt MCA), is the standards-based accountability assessment designed for, and limited to, students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. It is designed to measure student progress toward Minnesota’s academic standards and meet the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Students who receive special education services and meet the eligibility criteria may take the MTAS/Alt MCA. Refer to the Eligibility Requirements and Decision-Making Tool for Minnesota Alternate Assessments for more information.

Under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015, the alternate assessment participation rate in each state may not exceed 1% of all students tested in any subject. Note that this is not a cap on participation at the district or school level. To learn more about the federal regulations, Minnesota’s current participation rates, and what the MDE has done to support districts, read the Overview of the One Percent Cap and Alternate Assessment Participation in Minnesota.

As part of this federal requirement, districts and charter schools received an email from MDE on November 17 regarding the Assurance, Rationale, and Context (ARC) process. The purpose of the ARC process is to provide a communication tool between Minnesota districts and MDE that assures each district is identifying the most appropriate assessment for each student. Special Education Directors, District Assessment Coordinators, Special Education case managers, and other key district staff should be included in conversations about alternate assessment participation, as reflected by the district’s report, in order to complete the ARC response. Once the district has prepared to answer the questions, one staff person will submit the district’s response by Dec. 12.

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Upcoming Opportunities

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 December, learn about the Alt MCA Student Readiness Tools (SRTs), Alt MCA materials and modes of administration, and the Alt MCA trainings for Test Administrators.

When: Dec. 10, 4-5 p.m. Series will continue monthly, meeting the second Wednesday (new meeting day) of each month. 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 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.

Where: Via Zoom.

Contact: Alt.Assessment.MDE@state.mn.us

Register for the Alt Assessment Chat and Connect

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MTAS/Alternate MCA Administration 2026 Informational Meeting

What: MTAS/Alternate MCA 2026 Administration Informational meeting hosted by Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment Division staff to hear the latest updates to the MTAS/Alternate MCA for spring 2026. A recording of the informational meeting will be available at a later date. Look for information in an upcoming Educator Edition.

When: Jan. 13, 9-10 a.m. and Jan. 15, 3:30-4:30 p.m. via Zoom.

Contact: Alt.Assessment.MDE@state.mn.us for questions. Mde.testing@state.mn.us to request accommodations to participate in this event. Note: MDE requires a two-week advance notice to provide accommodations and 48-hour notice to cancel the request.

Register for the Jan. 13 meeting (Registration closes 9 a.m. on Jan. 12)

Register for the Jan. 15 meeting (Registration closes 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 14)

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Curriculum Leaders Meetings

What: MDE will host its Curriculum Leaders Virtual Sessions in 2025-26, with each session offered at 7:30-8:30 a.m. and 4-5 p.m. New and experienced Curriculum Leaders may attend either session as the same information will be provided at each. The sessions are not recorded and CEUs will not be provided as these sessions are an additional support rather than a training. Note: Registration closes 24 hours in advance of the Curriculum Leaders meetings to ensure you receive the access code to enter the meeting. Past presentations, including the most recent one from Oct. 14, are posted at the bottom of the Academic Standards (K-12) page. There will be a bonus guest from the READ Act for each of our meetings.

When: Jan. 13 (8:30-9 a.m. and 3:30-4 p.m.), and May 12 (8:30-9 a.m. and 3:30-4 p.m.)

How: If your district experienced a Curriculum Leader change, please make sure this change is reflected in  Schools and Organizations (MDE-ORG). To review a list of all District Curriculum Leaders, select “District Curriculum Leaders” from the Contact List option on the left menu. If a change is needed, your district’s Site Verification Coordinator (SVC) can make the update.

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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

Jan. 22, 8-9:30 a.m. (Virtual) – Register here

Gifted Education

Dec. 10, 9-11 a.m. (Virtual) – Register here

Jan. 14, 9-11 a.m. (Virtual) – Register here

Mathematics

Join MCTM’s Minnesota Math Leaders Group to receive meeting links.

Dec. 11, 7-7:45 a.m. – Math Leader Meeting (Virtual)

Dec. 16, 12:30-2 p.m. – Math Leader PLC (Virtual)

Dec. 18, 4-5:30 p.m. – Math Leader PLC (Virtual)

Jan. 8, 7-7:45 a.m. – Math Leader Meeting (Virtual)

Jan. 20, 12:30-2 p.m. – Math Leader PLC (Virtual)

Jan. 15, 4-5:30 p.m. – Math Leader PLC (Virtual)

Science

Jan. 15, 10 a.m.-Noon (Virtual) – Register here

Social Studies

Dec. 17, 7:30-8:30 a.m. (Virtual) –  Register here

Jan. 21, 7:30-8:30 a.m. (Virtual) – Register here

Jan. 22, 9-11 a.m. (In Person at MDE) – Register here

Office Hours

Arts

Dec. 16, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here

Jan. 20, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here

English Language Arts

Dec. 4, 3-4 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here

Jan. 8, 3-4 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here

Gifted Education

Dec. 10, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here

Jan. 14, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here

Health Education

Jan. 6, 7:30-8:30 a.m. (Virtual) – Register here

Mathematics

Dec. 3, 4-5 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here

Jan. 7, 4-5 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here

Science

Dec. 23, 4-5 p.m. (Virtual) – Register here

Jan. 27, 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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