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An update from Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Dec. 17, 2025
Important Dates
Jan. 23: Test WES deadline to make changes affecting initial MCA and MTAS/Alt MCA test materials shipment, confirm ISR delivery, and indicate test material delivery options
Quick Links
An updated Important Dates for Test Administration document has been posted on the Policies and Procedures page of the Minnesota Assessment Hub. Dates for tasks following the spring 2026 testing windows have now been added.
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The DAC Test Administration Training (2025-26) is available in the Learning Management System (LMS) and is a required training for District Assessment Coordinators (DACs). Note: DACs must complete all trainings under their “Learner” profile in the LMS. Select the user icon on the top right of the page and confirm you are in the Learner profile before completing trainings. DACs who watch the training in the “Preview Mode” on their Manager profile will not receive a completion for the training.
For DACs and other staff who attended either of the live virtual trainings in December, Pearson has marked the training as complete. LMS Learners can download and review their Learning Transcript to confirm the training has been marked complete. If Learners attended either of the live virtual trainings and do not see the training appear as complete on their transcript, contact MDE at mde.testing@state.mn.us. DACs who did not attend the live virtual training must complete the course in the LMS.
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Assistive technology (AT) online test forms were first made available last year for the Science MCA and Alt MCA and will be available starting this year for the new Reading MCA and Alt MCA. These separate TestNav forms allow AT to interact directly with the online test in order to maintain or improve access for a student with disabilities. There are two versions of the AT online forms: one for screen readers and one for non-screen reader devices.
An updated Guidelines for Using Assistive Technology (AT) Online Forms resource is now available on the Student Tools and Supports page of the Minnesota Assessment Hub to assist district and school staff in determining whether the AT the student will use during testing is compatible and/or works as expected with TestNav. District Assessment Coordinators (DACs) will need to use the PearsonAccess Next Training Center to create a sample AT test session and provide a testing ticket to the teacher and student to log in to TestNav and practice using the AT with TestNav, if compatible. Note: The Training Center is in the process of being updated and will be available starting Jan. 5.
Contact the Pearson help desk with any questions at 888-817-8659 or submit a Pearson help desk request online.
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By Jan. 1, the specific testing schedules by grade and subject that are posted on the district website should be reviewed and updated, if needed. Test administration calendar examples are found in the Procedures Manual on pages 348-351. Minor changes can continue to be made after Jan. 1 to ensure calendars are accurate. If your district has internal procedures for reviewing and approving calendars before information can be posted, take that into account when preparing updates.
MDE reviews testing calendars and will communicate directly with the District Assessment Coordinator (DAC) if MDE determines a district’s calendar is not available or is incomplete. Detailed information on the core requirements for district testing calendars can be found in the Procedures Manual starting on page 160.
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MDE has posted the recording of the Reading Alternate Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (Alt MCA) Kickoff Meeting to the Alternate Assessments page of the Testing 1, 2, 3 website. The kickoff meeting provides guidance on:
- Preparation and administration for the upcoming Reading Alt MCA operational assessment
- Tools and guidance for determining appropriate test administration modes (online, paper, or hybrid)
- How to use the Alt MCA Student Readiness Tools (online and paper)
- The Learner Characteristics Inventory
- How to implement the Eligibility Requirements and Decision-Making Tool for Minnesota Alternate Assessments, which is posted on the Alternate Assessment Participation page of MDE’s website.
District Assessment Coordinators (DACs) should share the recording with MTAS/Alt MCA Test Administrators, Special Education Directors/Coordinators, and any other district staff involved in administering alternate assessments.
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January Q&A Session: Preparing for the Administration of Statewide Assessments
MDE will host a virtual Q&A session for District Assessment Coordinators (DACs) on Jan. 13, from 2 to 3 p.m. that will focus on test administration and student participation. New and experienced DACs are welcome to attend. Register for the January Q&A Session. Details for joining are provided once participants register. Please note that registration will close 24 hours in advance of the Q&A session.
The prerequisites for the January Q&A session are Chapter 8: Test Administration and Chapter 9: Student Participation and Student in Special Circumstances and Situations of the Procedures Manual. MDE collects questions from DACs prior to the event to help prepare and find relevant resources to share. After reading the chapters, submit questions for the January DAC Q&A Session. Q&A sessions will not be recorded nor will CEUs be provided as these are considered additional supports rather than training events.
MTAS/Alt MCA Administration 2026 Informational Meeting
The Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment Division will host two MTAS/Alternate MCA 2026 Administration Informational meetings on Tuesday, Jan. 13 from 9 to 10 a.m. and Thursday, Jan. 15 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. District staff are invited to hear the latest updates to the MTAS/Alternate MCA for spring 2026.
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)
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 requires a two-week advance notice to provide accommodations and 48-hour notice to cancel the request.
January 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 January session on Wednesday, Jan. 14 from 4 to 5 p.m. Please register for the Alt Assessment Chat and Connect. 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 (LCI).
We will be meeting on 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 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.
Pearson DAC Test Administration Training
Pearson will provide the DAC Test Administration Training for new and experienced District Assessment Coordinators (DACs) on Thursday, Jan. 15 from 9 to 11 a.m. This virtual training includes an overview of changes to PearsonAccess Next, TestNav, the Learning Management System, and reporting for the Spring 2026 MCA and MTAS/Alt MCA.
Register for the Pearson DAC Test Administration Training. MDE will review and approve all registrations prior to the training. Participants need to register at least 24 hours before the training to be approved. Once approved, participants will receive an email with a link to join the meeting. A meeting ID and passcode will also be provided if joining directly from Zoom.
A recorded version of the training will be posted to the Learning Management System (LMS) on Friday, Jan. 30.
Technology Coordinator Training
Refer to the Tech Update for information on the Pearson Technology Coordinator Training for District Technology and District Assessment Coordinators.
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Due to the holidays, MDE will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
There will be no Assessment Update on either Dec. 24 or Dec. 31. The next Assessment Update newsletter will be sent on Jan. 7. Additionally, there will be limited staff available to monitor the mde.testing@state.mn.us mailbox from Dec. 23-Jan. 1. There may be a delayed response to your email.
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Pearson Technology Coordinator Training
Pearson Field Engineering will provide the Technology Coordinator Training for District and School Technology Coordinators, as well as interested District Assessment Coordinators (DACs) on Tuesday, Jan. 6 from 1 to 3 p.m. This virtual training covers the following topics:
- TestNav 8 updates, system requirements, configurations, and the installation and management of TestNav applications
- Technology resources on the Minnesota Assessment Hub and TestNav 8 Online Support page
- System configurations such as firewalls, content filters, and assistive technologies
Register for the Technology Coordinator Training. MDE will review and approve all registrations prior to the training. Participants need to register at least 24 hours before the training to be approved. Once approved, participants will receive an email with a link to join the meeting. A meeting ID and passcode will also be provided if joining directly from Zoom.
A recorded version of the training will be posted to the Learning Management System (LMS) on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
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Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
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