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An update from Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Jan. 14, 2026
Important Dates
Jan. 16 or 20: Receive paper test materials for WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS
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
Jan. 26-March 20: WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS testing window
Quick Links
DACs must complete the following Pretest Editing tasks in Test WES by Friday, Jan. 23:
- On the District Confirmations page, confirm that your district provided all 2025 Individual Student Reports (ISRs) to families no later than Dec. 1. When results are delayed due to standard setting (as they were for Science MCA/Alt MCA this year), 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 those assessments. If these efforts have been made this year for Science MCA/Alt MCA, districts should check the confirmation box.
- On the District Options page, select the appropriate options for MCA and MTAS/Alt MCA test materials delivery:
- Request materials be shipped to the district (default) or individual schools.
- Receive MTAS/Alt MCA test materials automatically (default), or, if your district has historically received more MTAS/Alt MCA materials than needed, you can choose to order MTAS/Alt MCA materials during the additional orders window.
- Note: Districts no longer have two options for the delivery date range for the initial shipment of test materials. Feb. 24-26 is the only window for the initial test materials delivery.
- In Precode Search and Edit, the following changes and indications can be made throughout the testing window; however, in order to automatically receive paper test materials in the initial February shipment, these actions must be done by Jan. 23:
- Enter accommodation and universal support codes to receive MCA paper test materials.
- Change test assignments from MCA to MTAS/Alt MCA to receive MTAS/Alt MCA test materials.
For detailed instructions, refer to the Pretest Editing User Guide, which is posted on the Test WES page of the MDE website and includes step-by-step instructions and screenshots. In addition, there is also a recorded training, Pretest Editing in Test WES, which is posted to the Learning Management System (LMS) (DAC Catalog > MDE Systems tag).
Accommodation Code Conflicts in Test WES
If a student requires multiple paper-based supports or accommodations for the Mathematics MCA, such as handheld calculator (HC), script/human reader (HR), and/or regular print test book (12), only one accommodation code must be indicated in Test WES. Any paper test materials needed for a student must then be ordered during the additional orders window, since indicating codes in Test WES that require the use of paper test materials after the Jan. 23 pretest editing deadline does not automatically generate a materials order. Refer to page 34 of the Test WES Pretest Editing User Guide or Chapter 4 of the Procedures Manual for more information about accommodation/universal support codes and code conflicts.
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Initial paper test materials for WIDA assessments will arrive in districts on Jan. 16 or Jan. 20. Now is the time to inventory materials, plan for potential additional orders, and confirm student data in WIDA AMS is accurate.
Additional Materials Ordering
After you receive and inventory your materials, you may determine that an Additional Materials Order (AMO) is needed. This is commonly due to new student enrollments or changes in required accommodations.
Before placing an AMO, please complete the following steps:
- Check your overage first: Most schools and districts receive an overage with their initial materials shipment.
- Consolidate requests: Combine needs from all schools into one district-level AMO.
- Order only what is needed: Avoid placing orders “just in case,” as this increases waste and shipping costs.
Additional details and ordering procedures are outlined in the District and School Test Coordinator Manual, available in the WIDA Secure Portal.
Adding Students to WIDA AMS
Accuracy is essential when adding students to WIDA AMS. Any mismatch between WIDA AMS entries and enrollment data submitted to MDE (MARSS/Ed-Fi) may result in scoring or reporting issues, including delayed or invalid results.
Key reminders:
- Match data exactly: Ensure each student’s first name, last name, state student ID (SSID/MARSS), school, and grade match enrollment data.
- Verify before saving: WIDA AMS does not flag data-entry errors, so review entries carefully before submitting.
- Paper materials (if applicable): If a student will use a scorable test booklet and a Pre-ID label is not available, affix a District/School label and hand-bubble required demographic information using a number 2 pencil.
For detailed guidance, refer to Chapter 8 of the Procedures Manual. Refer to page 219 for the specific demographic information required for Minnesota students.
Need Help?
For help with WIDA AMS, technology, or test materials, contact the DRC help desk at WIDA@datarecognitioncorp.com or 855-787-9615.
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In spring 2026, the Reading MCA-IV assessments will be administered for the first time. With the transition to the MCA-IV series, there are corresponding changes to the accommodations and supports available on the new Reading MCA. Refer to the online and paper Student Readiness Tools (SRTs) to explore all new features and supports.
Similar to the Science MCA-IV, translated and glossed word lists are available to all students for Reading MCA. In addition, the English glossary feature will be available in the online Reading MCA (items only).
Accommodations available to students with an IEP/504 plan are similar to Science MCA materials. For the Reading MCA:
- A 24-pt large print test book will no longer be available. Instead, the 18-pt large print test book format will be improved to make the materials more manageable for students.
- A separate passages book will be provided with the paper test books (12-pt, 18-pt, or braille) to make it easier for students to access passages information alongside the items included in the test book.
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Assistive technology online test forms are available that allow assistive technology devices to interact directly with the test; this includes screen readers and non-screen reader devices.
- Read-aloud accommodations (script/human reader, text-to-speech, or assistive technology online form for screen readers) are now available with the new Reading MCA for eligible students. MDE must approve their use for each student. With these accommodations, the reading passages and test items are read to the student. Read-aloud accommodations will be an approved accommodation only for a small number of students who meet one of these criteria:
- Students with documented blindness or low vision that severely limits or prevents them from accessing printed text and have not yet learned braille.
- Students with deafness or hard of hearing and whose print disability severely limits their ability to decode text.
- Students with documented blindness or low vision who use a screen reader in their daily instruction.
More details about these supports and accommodations are available in both the Procedures Manual and the Guidance for Universal Supports and Accommodations.
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Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs) for the Reading and Science MCA-IV and Alternate MCA (Alt MCA) are available on the MDE website. The MCA-IV PLDs (previously named Achievement Level Descriptors) describe learning of the grade-level expectations set by benchmarks in the Reading strand of the 2020 Academic Standards in English Language Arts and the 2019 Academic Standards in Science.
The purpose of PLDs is to:
- Facilitate interpretation of student test scores by educators and families.
- Identify classroom instructional changes that best support a student’s learning progression.
- Support educators in the implementation of new standards.
- Provide the criteria for establishing performance levels (or cut scores) for the statewide assessment at standard setting.
Student performance on the MCA-IV and Alt MCA is differentiated into four performance levels: Beginning, Intermediate, Meets, and Advanced. Students performing at the “Meets” and “Advanced” levels are considered proficient in the knowledge and skills described in the academic standards.
The Reading and Science MCA and Alt MCA Performance Level Descriptors can be found on the Performance Level Descriptors page of the MDE website.
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Please share with your IEP, 504 plan, and EL teams as they plan for the participation of students with disabilities in statewide assessments.
The current reauthorization of both the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires students with disabilities to participate in the statewide assessments that are designed to hold schools accountable for the academic performance of all students. IEP or 504 plan teams determine the appropriate manner for students with disabilities to participate in statewide assessments.
Students with disabilities may participate in statewide assessments in these ways:
- With or without accommodations: IEP and 504 plan teams determine which accommodations, if any, and universal supports are appropriate for students with disabilities. Accommodations should be documented in the IEP or 504 plan and must be provided based on individual need. The use of a universal support may replace the need for an accommodation, depending on the student’s needs; universal supports may also be provided along with accommodations.
- By taking an alternate assessment for which they are eligible: Only students with IEPs are eligible for alternate assessments. The IEP team documents the decision to administer an alternate assessment in the student’s IEP.
- English language proficiency accountability assessments: For English learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities, the IEP team, in conjunction with EL staff may determine that the WIDA Alternate ACCESS is the most appropriate measure of English language proficiency. The Eligibility Guidance and Decision-Making Support for the WIDA Alternate ACCESS is a new resource to assist in making decisions for students.
- Standards-based accountability assessments: For students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who meet the eligibility requirements, the IEP team may determine that MTAS/Alt MCA is the most appropriate measure of academic skills in one or more subjects in place of MCA. When making decisions, IEP teams should refer to the Eligibility Requirements and Decision-Making Tool for Minnesota Alternate Assessments.
Please ensure that relevant EL and Special Education staff are aware of the available resources and either know how to access them or are provided them for reference when making decisions about student participation and accommodations.
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Districts are required to offer a nationally recognized college entrance exam (ACT or SAT) to grades 11 and 12 students during a 2025-26 school day. Districts must enter into a contract directly with the test vendor. While a district may offer other assessment options to students at their discretion (for example, ASVAB or ACCUPLACER), a college entrance exam must still be offered. The requirements for offering a college entrance exam have not changed and are detailed in Chapter 2 of the Procedures Manual starting on page 30.
MDE reimburses districts for students who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals (FRP) (in addition to students who are determined to be unable to pay). To be eligible for reimbursement under FRP, the student must have been identified in student enrollment data as eligible for FRP at some point during the school year the exam is administered.
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All students must be assigned to a Test Administrator or Test Monitor who will administer the test, actively monitor the students, and maintain test security throughout test administration; refer to Chapter 3 of the Procedures Manual for Test Administrator/Test Monitor roles and responsibilities. Test Administrators and Test Monitors must complete all required trainings for their role, as specified in Chapter 7.
All MDE-required trainings for the administration of statewide assessments have been posted to the Learning Management System (LMS). Please refer to the LMS Test Administration Catalog Courses and Posting Dates document on the Training page of the Minnesota Assessment Hub for details.
Only trained staff involved in testing are allowed in the room during testing. It is considered a security violation if untrained staff are monitoring statewide assessments. More information on selecting Test Administrators and Test Monitors is available in the Procedures Manual, starting on page 199.
Note: A parent/guardian or relative cannot be involved with their student’s test administration or be in the same room during testing at any time. Relatives are defined as children, stepchildren, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, siblings, in-laws, spouses, and persons under guardianship.
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MTAS and Alt MCA paper test materials will be organized in separate kits by grade and subject (for example, Grade 3 Mathematics MTAS Kit, Grade 5 Reading Alt MCA Kit, Grade 8 Science Alt MCA Kit). MTAS and Alt MCA test materials will have different covers to differentiate the materials. Refer to the table on pages 16-17 of the MTAS/Alt MCA Task Administration Manual posted to the Test Administration Resources page of the Minnesota Assessment Hub for the materials included in each kit. The following information provides additional details specific to Alt MCA:
- District or School Assessment Coordinators must provide Test Administrators with a testing ticket to administer the Reading and Science Alt MCAs in an online or hybrid mode. Test Administrators will also need a testing ticket to complete data entry for the Reading and Science Alt MCAs in TestNav.
- In addition to the main online Reading and Science Alt MCA test forms, there are two additional versions of the online forms—one for screen readers and one for non-screen reader assistive technology devices—that allow assistive technology (AT) to interact directly with the test in order to maintain or improve access for a student with disabilities. Note: Braille materials can be used with either of the AT forms.
- The AT online form for screen readers is used with screen readers and braille devices.
- The non-screen reader AT online form is used for all other AT devices that are compatible with TestNav.
- The Reading and Science Alt MCAs also have optional supplemental materials that can be ordered during additional orders for students who use these supports in their daily instruction:
- Response Option Cards provide additional support for students who use this format to communicate responses.
- Braille materials and Visual Descriptions provide additional support for students who are blind or have low vision and who use these supports.
- Braille versions of the Reading and Science Alt MCA Presentation Pages, Passages Book, Phenomena Book, and Response Option Cards are available in uncontracted UEB format for Reading and UEB Math/Science format for Science to any student who is blind or has low vision and is competent in the braille system, as determined by the IEP or 504 plan team. Tactile graphics are also provided as part of the braille materials.
- Visual Descriptions provide alternate text for images that are read to students by the Test Administrator.
The following table summarizes the available materials for Alt MCA and MTAS:
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Test/Mode
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Materials
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Alt MCA Online Mode
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- Task Administration Manual (TAM)
- Student Testing Ticket
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Alt MCA Paper Mode
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- Task Administration Manual (TAM)
- Passages or Phenomena Book
- Presentation Pages
- Optional:
- Response Option Cards
- Visual Descriptions
- Braille materials
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Alt MCA Hybrid Mode
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- Task Administration Manual (TAM)
- Student Testing Ticket
- Passages or Phenomena Book
- Presentation Pages
- Optional:
- Response Option Cards
- Visual Descriptions
- Braille materials
|
|
MTAS Paper Mode
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- Task Administration Manual (TAM)
- Scenarios Book
- Presentation Pages
- Response Option Cards
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The PearsonAccess Next chat feature has been updated. To initiate a chat, log in to PearsonAccess Next and select the updated chat icon on the bottom right corner of the homepage. Users are prompted to enter their first name, last name, email, phone number, description of the issue, and school (district is also acceptable). Note: In the description, it is important that you exclude any personally identifiable student information.
Users are initially connected to a virtual assistant that creates a case and connects the user to a live agent. Agents are available between 6 a.m.-7:30 p.m. to respond to chats. If no agents are available, the virtual assistant creates a case, and an agent will follow up within one business day. To end the conversation, users can select the “x” icon and then “Yes” to end the chat. If the issue is resolved, the agent will close the case, and an email notification and support survey will be sent to the user. If the issue was not resolved, either because the chat was unintentionally exited or the case was escalated for further research, the agent will reach out to the user by email or phone with a resolution before closing the case.
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The Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment division is currently seeking an Assessment Data and Reporting Analyst to join the Data, Reporting, and Test Integrity team. This position will provide high quality, accurate, relevant, and timely quantitative analyses for Minnesota’s standards-based accountability assessments and English language proficiency assessments.
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 90765, and the posting is open until Jan. 20. Visit the State of Minnesota Careers website for more information and to apply.
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MDE Closed for MLK Day
In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, MDE offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19. Responses to emails and phone calls will be delayed to Tuesday, Jan. 20.
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Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Minnesota Department of Education
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