|
An update from Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Vol. 4, No. 5: Jan. 12, 2026
New Resource: Family Guide to Minnesota’s English Language Arts Standards
The Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment division has released Minnesota's English Language Arts Standards: A Family and Caregiver Guide to Supporting Your Child's Learning, a resource designed to support understanding of the state’s revised English Language Arts (ELA) standards, which are required to be taught in all grades this school year (2025-26). This two-page flyer explains key changes in the 2020 ELA standards—including enhanced media literacy, diverse perspectives, and increased student choice—and provides practical suggestions for families to support their child’s literacy development. Education leaders may find this guide valuable to share with families and caregivers as districts engage in full implementation of the 2020 ELA standards.
The guide is available in four languages: English, Hmong, Somali, and Spanish. All four versions can be found on the ELA Standards Implementation webpage along with additional implementation resources.
Please contact ELA Specialist Kristin Bauck with any questions at kristin.bauck@state.mn.us.
Back to Top
Applications Open for Reading 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 need to go through a process called “standard setting” before scores can be released. During standard setting, Minnesota educators will work together to make recommendations of what students need to 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 for 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.
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. Participants will also receive an honorarium and earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs); mileage and hotel expenses will also be reimbursed.
Below are the dates for the two in-person standard setting committees:
- Reading Alternate MCA Standard Setting held on June 16-18.
- Reading MCA-IV Standard Setting held on June 22-25.
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.
Back to Top
Now Available: Reading MCA-III and MCA-IV Comparison Resource
A resource is now available on the District Resources page of the MDE website that outlines the general test administration changes between the Reading MCA-III and the new Reading MCA-IV. DACs can share information from this Comparison of the Reading MCA-III and Reading MCA-IV resource with staff, as needed, as they prepare for the first administration of the Reading MCA-IV this spring. A general overview of the changes to this new series of assessments can be found in Chapter 1 of the Procedures Manual, along with references to detailed information throughout the rest of the Procedures Manual. If there are additional questions about the Reading MCA-IV, please contact mde.testing@state.mn.us.
Back to Top
Opportunity for Elementary Science Teachers in Rural Areas
The University of Minnesota is accepting applications for the Midwest STEM Alliance for Rural Elementary Science. This project funded by the National Science Foundation will focus on supporting teachers to integrate science, mathematics, and English language arts aligning with the Next Generation Science Standards. Read more about this opportunity and consider sharing with your networks. Applicants may contact Selin Akgun (sakgn@umn.edu) and Gill Roehrig (roehr013@umn.edu) with questions.
Back to Top
MTAS/Alternate MCA Administration 2026 Informational Meeting
hat: The Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment Division will host an informational meeting to share the latest updates to the MTAS/Alternate MCA for spring 2026. A recording will be available later. Watch for details 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 and mde.testing@state.mn.us to request accommodations to participate in this event. Note: MDE requests a two-week advance notice to provide accommodations and 48-hour notice to cancel the request. If the request comes within two weeks of the event, MDE will still make an effort to provide the accommodation.
Both events cover the same information, so please select one date to attend.
Register for the Jan. 13 meeting (Registration closes Jan. 12 at 9 a.m.)
Register for the Jan. 15 meeting (Registration closes Jan. 14 at 3:30 p.m.)
Back to Top
January 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 January, Dean Reasoner, English Learner Assessment Specialist will share about the WIDA Alt ACCESS Decision Making Tool and exit criteria. We will also learn about the Alt MCA accommodations and supports, and the Learner Characteristics Inventory.
When: Jan. 14, 4-5 p.m. Monthly series, meeting the second Wednesday (new meeting day) of each month. Register once for the entire series and join any session that work for you. However, when registering for the first time, registration for each session closes 24 hours before the meeting time. The series dates for this year are Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 11, April 8, and May 13 at 4 p.m.
Where: Via Zoom.
How: Register for the Alt Assessment Chat and Connect
Contact: Alt.Assessment.MDE@state.mn.us
Back to Top
Supplemental Funding in Arts Education
What: Join us to consider various sources of supplemental funding for Arts programming, including federal funding and grants. This professional development session will include information about opportunities for Arts education in Title funds, as well as the fundamentals of grant writing, including key considerations and tips. We will provide a database of Arts education grants that may be available for application. This session is facilitated by Nora Schull, MDE Arts and Equity Specialist, Alina Campana, MDE Arts Specialist, and several ESEA Grant Program Specialists.
Who: This session is for District and School Arts leaders, including teacher leaders
When: Jan. 29, 9-10 a.m.
Where: Via Zoom.
Contact: alina.campana@state.mn.us
Register for Supplemental Funding in Arts Education
Back to Top
Introduction to Essential Understandings About Native Arts in Minnesota
What: The Essential Understandings About Native Arts in Minnesota can be used in the development of arts curriculum that authentically and appropriately supports student learning about Dakota and/or Ojibwe arts. This resource also contains important considerations for developing curriculum and instruction about Native arts. Join us to learn about the background of this resource, explore its content, and consider how you might use it in your setting. This session is facilitated by Iyekiyapiwiƞ Darlene St. Clair, Indigenous Research Professor, University of Minnesota, and Alina Campana, MDE Arts Specialist.
Who: This session is for District and School Arts leaders, including teacher leaders
When: March 4, 9-10:30 a.m.
Where: Via Zoom.
Contact: alina.campana@state.mn.us
Register for Introduction to Essential Understandings About Native Arts in Minnesota
Back to Top
Professional learning opportunities from Academic Standards will be available over the next two months. Refer to the Academic Standards and Assessment Information Packet (2025-26) and content-area pages of the Academic Standards webpage for full event descriptions. Registration for virtual events closes 24 hours in advance.
Curriculum Leader Meetings
Jan. 13, 7:30-8:30 a.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
Jan. 13, 4-5 p.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
Content-Area Leader Meetings
Arts
Jan. 29, 9-10 a.m. (Virtual) - Supplemental Funding in Arts Education – Register Here
English Language Arts
Jan. 22, 8-9:30 a.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
Computer Science Education
Jan. 28, 3-4:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
Gifted Education
Jan. 14, 9-11 a.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
Feb. 11, 9-11 a.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
Mathematics
Join the Minnesota Math Leaders Group to receive meeting links.
Jan. 15, 4-5:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Math Leader After School PLC
Jan. 20, 12:30-2 p.m. (Virtual) – Math Leader School Day PLC
Feb. 12, 7-7:45 a.m. (Virtual) – Math Leader Meeting
Feb. 17, 12:30-2 p.m. (Virtual) – Math Leader School Day PLC
Feb. 19, 4-5:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Math Leader After School PLC
Science
Jan. 15, 10 a.m.-Noon (Virtual) – Register Here
Social Studies
Jan. 21, 7:30-8:30 a.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
Jan. 22, 9-11 a.m. (In-Person) – Register Here
Feb. 25, 7:30-8:30 a.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
Feb. 26, 9-11 a.m. (In-Person) – Register Here
Office Hours
Arts
Jan. 20, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
Feb. 17, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
English Language Arts
Feb. 5, 3-4 p.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
Gifted Education
Jan. 14, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
Feb. 11, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
Mathematics
Feb. 4, 4-5 p.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
Science
Jan. 27, 4-5 p.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
Feb. 24, 4-5 p.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
Back to Top
Division of Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Minnesota Department of Education
Sign up to receive the Educator Edition newsletter
Manage Preferences | Unsubscribe | Help | MDE Website
|
