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An update from the Division of Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Vol. 4, No. 8: April 6, 2026
Arts Licensure Update
The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) is scheduled to update arts licensure standards between 2026 and 2028. In preparation, PELSB, the Perpich Center for Arts Education, and MDE are working with external partners to develop arts licensure standards that PELSB could move to adopt through the formal rulemaking process.
Thus far, a steering committee reviewed structural issues in arts licensure and made recommendations to address these issues. Over the past school year, feedback on these recommendations was gathered through a statewide survey and a music advisory group.
Key Decisions Approved by PELSB
The PELSB board recently approved revising licensure standards for all arts licenses, including the following changes:
- Discontinue the K-12 Vocal and Classroom Music and the K-12 Instrumental and Classroom Music licenses and replace them with a single PK-12 Music license with specialization embedded in the licensure standards.
- Embed media arts licensure standards in visual arts, creating a PK-12 Visual & Media Arts license.
- Discontinue the combined Dance and Theater License, retaining the Dance license and the Theater license.
Current arts teachers’ existing licenses will not be changed.
Next Steps
Workgroups will draft new licensure standards for the Dance, Music, Visual and Media Arts, and Theater licenses this year, with multiple opportunities for public input. Drafted standards will go to PELSB for review and may then move into the multi‑year rulemaking process. Multiple public feedback opportunities will occur throughout the process.
More information, including additional information about these changes, is available through PELSB’s Arts Rulemaking webpage.
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New Resource: The Minnesota English Language Arts Standards and the READ Act
The 2020 Minnesota Academic Standards in English Language Arts (ELA) and the Minnesota READ Act are two state initiatives that shape literacy instruction in K-12 schools. The Minnesota English Language Arts Standards and the READ Act is a one-page resource that provides a high-level overview of how they work together to support student success.
You can find this and additional ELA resources on the MDE ELA Standards Implementation webpage.
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New Tools Available for Online Math MCA
Several new tools are available for the online Math MCA this spring.
- Pencil tool: Students in all grade levels can use the pencil tool to mark or draw directly on all questions.
- Protractor tool: Students in grade 4 can use the protractor tool to measure angles on specific questions.
- Ruler tool: The ruler tool has been available in grade 3 and now is also available in grade 4.
More detailed information and examples of how to use the pencil tool are available in the April MathBits newsletter article from the Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Students can try the pencil, protractor, and ruler tools in the Student Readiness Tool (SRT).
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MCA and MTAS/Alt MCA On-Demand Reports
The MCA and MTAS/Alt MCA testing window is now open through early May. After students finish their tests, test results are available through On-Demand Reports on PearsonAccess Next. On-Demand Reports can help educators access timely student information and be used for instructional planning purposes.
On-Demand Reports are available on the following timelines, based on the subject and test:
- Reading MCA/Alt MCA: Not available for 2026*
- Mathematics MCA/MTAS: Within 60 minutes after testing or data entry is completed
- Science MCA/Alt MCA: Within 72 hours after testing or data entry is completed
* Due to 2025-26 being the first operational administration of the Reading MCA-IV and Reading Alt MCA, On-Demand Reports will not be available for these assessments this year.
Staff with the following user roles in PearsonAccess Next can access On-Demand Reports. Some roles require that reporting groups are set up in order to provide access to their students:
- District Assessment Coordinator (DAC)
- Assessment Administrator (AA)
- Test Monitor/Data Entry (must have a reporting group set up by the DAC or AA)
- MTAS/Alt MCA Test Administrator (must have a reporting group set up by the DAC or AA)
Districts are encouraged to share On-Demand Reports with educators, students, and families for instructional purposes. Keep in mind that while there are extremely rare circumstances when a student’s results in the On-Demand Report could change, providing the information from On-Demand Reports is encouraged to provide timely information to teachers, students, and/or families.
While districts are encouraged to use and share these results for instructional purposes, student assessment results are embargoed and should not be discussed in public forums (for example, on social media), reflected in public meeting minutes (for example, school board meetings), or shared with the general public or media until the final assessment results have been released publicly. This includes any summarized results determined by the district using On-Demand Reports.
Contact your DAC for more information about On-Demand Reports, or refer to the On-Demand Reports and Export User Guide posted on the Additional Reporting Resources page of the Minnesota Assessment Hub.
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Recording of the MTAS/Alt MCA 2026 Administration Informational Meeting Posted
A recording of the MTAS/Alternate MCA 2026 Administration Informational Meeting is now posted on the Alternate Assessments page of the Testing 1, 2, 3 website. Please share this link with MTAS/Alt MCA Test Administrators to learn about the latest updates to the MTAS/Alt MCA for spring 2026. A handout of the slides and links to resources are also available on the webpage.
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Guidance for Instructional Acceleration
Acceleration is an option for students who demonstrate academic performance well above their age-level peers. When making placement decisions, school leaders should draw on evidence-based resources and guidelines to ensure choices promote both rigorous academic growth and the student’s overall well-being.
Below are a few new MDE resources designed to support informed decision-making:
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Invitation for Science Item Writers 2026 (repeat)
MDE is inviting science educators to apply to be part of the Science MCA-IV Item Writer Training in summer 2026. The training will be 4.5 days, with approximately 15-20 additional hours needed to independently complete the writing assignments. The 2026 item writer training will focus on writing engaging grade-level phenomena and questions tied to the 2019 Minnesota Science SMtandards, with the goal to generate creative thinking and to engage teaching approaches to build a repository of phenomena and questions for the Science MCA-IV.
Schedule and Process Details
Attend required training/workdays:
- June 17 (morning only, virtual)
- July 15-16 (in person, at or near MDE)
- 4-5 (in person, at or near MDE)
Work independently to complete two phenomenon-based scenarios with 7-8 questions for each phenomenon by Aug. 12.
Benefits for Educators
- Build a robust understanding of and diverse perspectives on the 2019 Science standards.
- Gain insight into the creation of quality assessments that impact 60,000 students per grade.
- Expand creative thinking while developing engaging grade-level phenomena and item ideas.
- Learn skills and practices that support strong classroom assessment.
- Collaborate with science colleagues from across Minnesota.
- Earn Continuing Education Units.
- Get paid to participate.
If you are interested in being part of this Science MCA-IV Item Writer Training, please enter your information into MCA Science Item Writer Application by April 26. Selected writers will be contacted the week of May 4. Writers will be chosen based on grade-level and content-area writing needs, as well as experience in developing assessments.
MDE encourages any teachers and educators interested in becoming a science item writer to apply. MDE wants to increase the impact teachers have on our Science MCA-IV assessment and looks forward to engaging with more teachers around the state. If you have colleagues who might be interested in participating, please send them this information.
Please contact Science Assessment Specialist Jim Wood (jim.wood@state.mn.us) for more information.
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Educator and Community Member MCA and Alternate MCA Review Committees (repeat)
MDE is seeking educators and community members to participate in MCA and Alt MCA review committees. Collaboration with educators and community members is a key part of the development of Minnesota statewide assessment test materials.
Committee member groups include:
- Science, Math, and ELA classroom teachers with experience teaching academic standards in grades 3-8 and high school
- Special Education Teachers with all licensures, but particularly teachers who work with students with significant cognitive disabilities to review the alternate assessment
- Multilingual learner educators
- Community members
To elevate their voice in this review process, interested educators and community members can apply to be part of a committee using the registration link. By registering once in the database, individuals indicate interest in being invited to future committees. Each year, invitations are sent out based on expertise in grade level and content areas as committees are formed. Individuals can decline or accept the invitation based on their availability.
Each MCA and Alternate MCA Review Committee meets virtually, typically from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., for two to four days. Most committees occur from June to August, but there are also passage review committees that meet in February. Participants are paid a $160 honorarium per day for participating, or their district or charter will be reimbursed for any substitute costs.
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April 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 April we will learn about the Reading and Science Alt MCA Performance Level Descriptors and discuss 2026 MTAS/Alt MCA administration questions.
When: April 8, 4-5 p.m. Series will continue monthly, meeting the second Wednesday of each month. Register once to join any of the monthly meetings that work for you. However, when registering for the first time, registration for each session closes 24 hours before the meeting time. The meeting dates for this year are 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
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Gifted and Talented Leader Meetings
What: The Gifted Education Leader Network, a partnership of MDE and the Minnesota Educators of the Gifted and Talented, will host bi-monthly virtual meetings during the 2025-26 school year. These meetings support the implementation of gifted and talent development services, evidence-based practices, and MTSS models.
Who: Anyone who leads gifted services across Minnesota is welcome to attend, including Curriculum Directors, department leaders, gifted education coordinators and specialists, differentiated instruction coaches, MTSS leads, and educators.
When: May 28, 11 a.m.-noon (virtual meetings). Please note registration to participate closes 24 hours prior to scheduled meeting.
Register for the May 28 meeting
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The following are 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 pages of the Academic Standards webpage for full event descriptions. Registration for virtual events closes 24 hours in advance.
Curriculum Leader Spring Meeting
May 12, 7:30-8:30 a.m. (Virtual) – Register for May 12 morning meeting (bonus READ Act information from 8:30-9 a.m.)
May 12, 4-5 p.m. (Virtual) – Register for May 12 afternoon meeting (bonus READ Act information from 3:30-4 p.m.)
Content is identical between morning and afternoon meetings.
Content-Area Leader Meetings
English Language Arts
May 21, 8-9:30 a.m. (Virtual) – Register for May 21
Computer Science
May 4, 3:30-5 p.m. (Virtual) – Register for May 4
Gifted Education
April 8, 9-11 a.m. (Virtual) – Register for April 8
Mathematics
Join the Minnesota Math Leaders Group to receive meeting links.
April 9, 7-7:45 a.m. (Virtual) – Math Leader Meeting
April 16, 4-5:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Math Leader PLC (teachers)
April 21, 12:30-2 p.m. (Virtual) – Math Leader PLC (coaches and specialists)
May 14, 7-7:45 a.m. (Virtual) – Math Leader Meeting
May 19, 12:30-2 p.m. (Virtual) – Math Leader PLC (coaches and specialists)
May 21, 4-5:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Math Leader PLC (teachers)
Science
May 28, 10 a.m.-noon (Virtual) – Register for May 28
Social Studies
April 22, 7:30-8:30 a.m. (Virtual) – Register for April 22
April 23, 9-11 a.m. (In Person at MDE) – Register for April 23
May 20, 7:30-8:30 a.m. (Virtual) – Register for May 20
Office Hours
Arts
April 21, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Register for April 21
May 19, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Register for May 19
English Language Arts
April 2, 3-4 p.m. (Virtual) – Register for April 2
May 7, 3-4 p.m. (Virtual) – Register for May 7
Gifted Education
April 8, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Register for April 8
May 13, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (Virtual) – Register for May 13
Health Education
April 7, 7:30-8:30 a.m. (Virtual) – Register for April 7
Mathematics
April 1, 4-5 p.m. (Virtual) – Register for April 1
May 6, 4-5 p.m. (Virtual) – Register for May 6
Science
April 28, 4-5 p.m. (Virtual) – Register for April 28
May 26, 4-5 p.m. (Virtual) – Register for May 26
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Division of Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment
Minnesota Department of Education
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