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An update from Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Vol. 4, No. 6: Feb. 2, 2026
Reading MCA-IV Updates
Last month, MDE shared a new resource that outlines the general test administration changes between the Reading MCA-III and the new Reading MCA-IV (Comparison of the Reading MCA-III and Reading MCA-IV). This month, MDE has added a second resource for educators on changes in the assessment related to academic standards, information on reporting results, and educator resource links related to the assessment. The Reading MCA-IV: Updates and Resources document is posted on the Statewide Testing page.
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Student Readiness Tools
The Student Readiness Tools (SRTs) have been updated for the 2025-26 school year and are available on the Student Readiness Tools page of the Minnesota Assessment Hub. These comprehensive resources can be used to prepare students for the MCA (online or paper) or Alt MCA (online, paper, or hybrid administration modes), and help students become familiar with the test format, question types, and new and updated tools they may use during testing.
Online SRTs do not require a login, and paper SRTs are also available for educators to print and provide to students.
Updates for 2025-26
Online SRTs:
- English Glossary SRT for online Reading MCA: The English glossary is now available on the Reading MCA and allows students to see and hear the definitions of certain words on test items (not reading passages). This support is available to all students. The English glossary tutorials provide information on the purpose and functionality of this feature.
- Ruler and Protractor SRTs: For students taking the grade 4 Mathematics MCA:
- Tutorials for both tools are now available in the grade 4 SRTs.
- A 1/16th inch ruler is also available in the TestNav toolbar.
- Pencil SRTs: For students taking the Mathematics MCA, a pencil SRT tutorial is now available in grades 3-5, 6-8, and 11 SRTs.
- Reading Script/Human Reader (HR) SRTs: The Reading Script/Human Reader SRT tutorial is now available for grades 3-5 and 6-10 (Online SRTs > Test Supports and Accommodations > Language Supports and Accommodations > Reading page of the online SRTs).
- Read&Write TestNav Extension for online Science MCA: With the retirement of the Co:Writer Universal extension, Read&Write is now the only extension available for word prediction and/or speech-to-text. The Read&Write TestNav Extension tutorial explains the purpose, and functionality of this support. Districts may indicate this support for students who use word prediction or speech-to-text and word prediction writing supports in their classroom instruction.
Alt MCA SRTs:
- Online Alt MCA SRT Overview Video: An updated version of the online Alt MCA SRT Overview video is available detailing functionality for the new Reading Alt MCA.
- Reading Alt MCA SRTs: Online and paper Alt MCA SRTs have been updated to include the Reading Alt MCA.
Educator guides are available for all SRTs. Additionally, supplemental information is provided for online MCA and Alt MCA SRTs, detailing information about all functionalities in TestNav. Both types of resources have been updated to include details on these additional SRTs.
Additional Resources to Support Planning
The SRTs are one part of a larger set of assessment resources that support students and educators in preparing for testing. Educators are also encouraged to use the following resources in their instructional planning:
- The Minnesota Questions Tool (MQT) includes released test questions (items) from past MCA administrations—including field tested Reading and Science MCA-IV items—with student responses to help educators better understand how the items are written to reflect the rigor and complexity of the standards.
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Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs) describe the knowledge and skills students demonstrate at each performance level. More information about PLDs is included in the next section.
Together, these resources help educators understand what students are being asked to do on the assessments and how tools support access without changing the expectations.
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Using Performance Level Descriptors to Support Learning
PLDs describe what students know and are able to do at each performance level on Minnesota’s statewide assessments for Reading and Science. They provide clear, accessible information that helps educators understand student performance in relation to the Minnesota Academic Standards.
PLDs are available for the Reading and Science MCAs and the Alt MCAs. They were developed in collaboration with Minnesota educators following revisions to the state academic standards to ensure that assessment expectations accurately reflect the knowledge and skills outlined in those standards.
Student performance on the MCA-IV and Alt MCA is reported across four performance levels: Beginning, Intermediate, Meets, and Advanced. Students performing at the “Meets” or “Advanced” levels are considered proficient in the academic standards for their grade or grade band.
Why PLDs Matter
PLDs play an important role in supporting teaching, learning, and assessment across Minnesota. PLDs help clarify student performance by describing what performance at each level looks like in terms of knowledge and skills. Rather than focusing only on scores, PLDs explain what students at each level typically understand and can do.
PLDs also support instructional planning and reflection by outlining learning progressions across performance levels. They help educators consider where students are in their learning and what instructional adjustments or supports may help students continue to grow.
In addition, PLDs strengthen alignment to the Minnesota Academic Standards. They provide guidance on the depth and complexity of learning expected, allowing educators to reflect on curriculum, instruction, and classroom assessments and ensure alignment with statewide expectations.
Using PLDs in Reading and Science Classrooms
Educators can use PLDs in practical and meaningful ways to support instruction and student learning in both Reading and Science. Teachers can use them to consider how lessons, tasks, and assessments support students as they move toward higher levels of performance. Reviewing PLDs alongside classroom evidence of learning can support intentional planning that aligns with grade-level expectations.
PLDs also support interpretation of assessment results. When reviewing MCA or Alt MCA data, PLDs help educators understand what student performance at each level typically represents, which can guide decisions about targeted support, enrichment, or instructional emphasis.
In addition, PLDs provide a shared language for communicating with students and families. They help explain assessments results in clear, meaningful terms and connect statewide assessment performance to classroom learning goals and next steps.
Accessing PLD Resources
PLD resources for Reading and Science MCAs and Alt MCAs are available on the Performance Level Descriptors page of the MDE website. These documents include full descriptions for each performance level and provide detailed guidance to support instructional planning, interpretation of assessment results, and alignment to the Minnesota Academic Standards.
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PLD Panelist Recruitment
Looking for a deeper understanding and professional development on what student performance looks like at different levels of the academic standards? Become a PLD panelist to develop resources for Minnesota educators.
If you are an educator looking for a robust summer learning opportunity, MDE will be seeking participants to engage in-person on the development of the PLDs in the following content areas on July 20-22:
- Science for grades K-2
- Chemistry, Physics, and Earth and Space Science strands for grades 9-12
- Expanding PLDs to cover all ELA strands K-12
An application is available to those interested and is now open until March 19. MDE is looking for these panelists to bring a wide range of experience and expertise to the process representing all students in Minnesota, no matter the ZIP code. MDE’s goal is to have individuals who represent educators/specialists and parents, including EC-2, higher education from education department representation, school leaders from primary, intermediate, or secondary levels, early childhood coordinators, and staff, including those with experience supporting multilingual learners and students receiving special education services. Please share this application within your schools and community.
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New Computer Science Resource: Computational Thinking Icons
The MDE Computational Thinking Poster includes a number of images (icons) that illustrate key concepts to help all students better understand them. The individual icons in the poster are posted on the Computer Science page for educators to download and use across presentations, courses, grade levels, educators, and other ways that fit the school or district’s needs. Please do not alter the icons in any way.
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Health Standards Public Comment Period Ends Feb. 9
On Dec. 15 the Notice of Intent to Adopt Rules was published in the State Register. This step includes a public comment period on the standards. Written comments will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 9. To learn more and see a complete timeline of the process, please go to the Health Standards Review and Revision page.
Here are the updates to the timeline:
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February 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 February we will learn about the 2026 MTAS/Alt MCA updates, planning considerations for MTAS/Alt MCA administrations, and MTAS/Alt MCA Field Audits.
When: Feb. 11, 4-5 p.m. Series will continue monthly, meeting the second Wednesday (new meeting day) of each month. You need only 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 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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Ethnic Studies Grant Opportunity Webinar
What: The Ethnic Studies Course Development for Grades 5-12: Community-Centered Knowledge Competitive Grant provides funding to support school districts and charters in the development, evaluation, and implementation of ethnic studies courses. The webinar will provide information regarding the purpose of the grant opportunity, and application guidance.
When: Feb. 10, 11 a.m.-noon.
Contact: mde.ethnicstudies@state.mn.us
Register for the webinar
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The following professional learning opportunities from Academic Standards are 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.
Content-Area Leader Meetings
Arts
March 4, 9-10:30 a.m. Introduction to Essential Understandings About Native Arts in Minnesota (Virtual) – Register Here
English Language Arts
March 12, 8-9:30 a.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
Gifted Education
Feb. 11, 9-11 a.m. – New Coordinator Boot Camp (Virtual) – Register Here
March 11, 9-11 a.m. – New Coordinator Boot Camp (Virtual) – Register Here
March 19, 11 a.m.-noon – Gifted and Talented Leader Meeting (Virtual) – Register Here
Mathematics
Join the Minnesota Math Leaders Group to receive meeting links.
Feb. 12, 7-7:45 a.m. – Math Leader Meeting (Virtual)
Feb. 17, 12:30-2 p.m. – Math Leader PLC (coaches and specialists) (Virtual)
Feb. 19, 4-5:30 p.m. – Math Leader PLC (teachers) (Virtual)
March 12, 7-7:45 a.m. – Math Leader Meeting (Virtual)
March 17, 12:30-2 p.m. – Math Leader PLC (coaches and specialists) (Virtual)
March 19, 4-5:30 p.m. – Math Leader PLC (teachers) (Virtual)
Science
March 12, 10 a.m.-noon (Virtual) – Register Here
Social Studies
Feb. 25, 7:30-8:30 a.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
Feb. 26, 9-11 a.m. (In Person) – Register Here
March 25, 7:30-8:30 a.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
March 25, 9-11 a.m. (In Person) – Register Here
Office Hours
Arts
Feb. 17, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
March 17, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
English Language Arts
Feb. 5, 3-4 p.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
March 5, 3-4 p.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
Gifted Education
Feb. 11, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
March 11, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
Mathematics
Feb. 4, 4-5 p.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
March 4, 4-5 p.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
Science
Feb. 24, 4-5 p.m. (Virtual) – Register Here
March 31, 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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