| Title I Requirements of No Child Left Behind |
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| Assessment: |
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments – Series II (MCA-II) |
| Subject(s): |
Mathematics, Reading, Science |
| Grade(s): |
Mathematics – 3-8, 11; Reading 3-8, 10; Science 5, 8, HS |
| Initial Operational Year: |
2006 – Mathematics and Reading; 2008 - Science |
| Purpose: |
The purpose of the MCA-II is to measure Minnesota students’ achievement with regard to the Minnesota Academic Standards. In addition, the MCA-II results can be used to inform curriculum decisions at the district and school level, inform instruction at the classroom level and demonstrate student academic growth from year to year. |
| Next Planned Revision: |
2011 – Mathematics; 2012 – Science; 2104 – Reading. Based on statutory revision schedule of the Minnesota Academic Standards (M.S. 120B.023) |
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| Assessment: |
Mathematics Test of English Language Learners (MTELL) |
| Subject(s): |
Mathematics |
| Grade(s): |
3-8, 11 |
| Initial Operational Year: |
2007 |
| Purpose: |
As an accommodated form of the MCA-II for English language learners, the MTELL has been designed to offer qualifying ELLs an assessment with a reduced language load, thereby also reducing the confounding effects of language on math performance. By creating the MTELL, it is hoped that ELLs, regardless of linguistic or cultural background, are better able to demonstrate the extent to which they have met the state grade level expectations in math. |
| Next Planned Revision: |
None. Test is planned to be retired in 2011, based on statutory revisions of the Minnesota Academic Standards in mathematics (M.S. 120B.023). All of the MCA-IIIs that start in 2011 will use items with reduced linguistic complexity. The lessons learned from MTELL are being incorporated into the MCA assessments. |
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| Assessment: |
Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) |
| Subject(s): |
Mathematics and Reading |
| Grade(s): |
Mathematics – 3-8, 11; Reading – 3-8, 10; Science – 5, 8, HS |
| Initial Operational Year: |
2007 – Mathematics and Reading; 2008 - Science |
| Purpose: |
The Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) is Minnesota’s alternate assessment instrument for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. It is designed exclusively for use with students who receive special education services and whose participation has been determined on an individual basis by an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team. |
| Next Planned Revision: |
2011 – Mathematics; 2012 – Science; 2104 – Reading. Based on statutory revision schedule of the Minnesota Academic Standards (M.S. 120B.023) |
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| Title III Requirements of No Child Left Behind |
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| Assessment: |
Test of Emerging Academic English |
| Subject(s): |
Reading and Writing for English Language Proficiency |
| Grade(s): |
3-12 |
| Initial Operational Year: |
2002 |
| Purpose: |
The Minnesota Tests of Emerging Academic English (TEAE) are a series of tests administered in grades 3-12. The tests are designed to assess the progress of Limited English Proficiency (LEP) students in academic English acquisition. Additionally, the test results will be used to determine the amount of funding distributed to districts. |
| Next Planned Revision: |
2010 – based on the revisions to the English language proficiency standards. The assessment will be either revised or replaced. |
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| Assessment: |
Minnesota Student Oral Language Observation Matrix (MN-SOLOM) |
| Subject(s): |
Listening and Speaking for English Language Proficiency |
| Grade(s): |
K-12 |
| Initial Operational Year: |
2002 |
| Purpose: |
The MN-SOLOM is a rating scale that teachers can use to assess their students' command of oral language on the basis of what they observe in a variety of situations - class discussions, playground interactions, encounters between classes. The teacher matches a student's language performance in six categories – academic comprehension, social comprehension, fluency, vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar – to descriptions on a five-point scale for each. A rating is immediately available and can be used to group and regroup students for ESL, to report student progress, or to guide refinements to instructional methods and materials. |
| Next Planned Revision: |
2010 – based on the revisions to the English language proficiency standards. The assessment will be either revised or replaced. |
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| Minnesota Diploma Assessments |
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| Assessment: |
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments – Series II (MCA-II) |
| Subject(s): |
Mathematics and Reading |
| Grade(s): |
Mathematics – 11; Reading – 10 |
| Initial Operational Year: |
2008 for reading; 2009 for Mathematics |
| Purpose: |
The purpose of the MCA-II is to measure Minnesota students’ achievement with regard to the Minnesota Academic Standards. |
| Next Planned Revision: |
2011 – Mathematics; 2104 – Reading, based on statutory revisions of the Minnesota Academic Standards (M.S. 120B.023) |
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| Assessment: |
Graduation-Required Assessment for Diploma (GRAD) |
| Subject(s): |
Mathematics, Reading, and Writing |
| Grade(s): |
9-Writing; 10-Reading; 11-Mathematics |
| Initial Operational Year: |
2007 for writing; 2008 for reading; 2009 for Mathematics |
| Purpose: |
The Graduation-Required Assessments for Diploma (GRAD) measure the reading, writing, and mathematics proficiency of high school students. By requiring high school graduates to reach a specified level on each of these assessments, Minnesota is making sure its students are on track to have the essential skills and knowledge necessary for graduation in the 21st century. |
| Next Planned Revision: |
2011 – Mathematics; 2104 – Reading and Writing, based on statutory revisions of the Minnesota Academic Standards (M.S. 120B.023) |
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| Assessment: |
Minnesota Basic Skills Test |
| Subject(s): |
Mathematics, Reading, and Writing |
| Grade(s): |
Retest mode only |
| Initial Operational Year: |
1996 |
| Purpose: |
The Basic Skills Tests in reading, mathematics and written composition are the “safety net” portion of Minnesota’s requirements for high school graduation. These tests measure some basic skills and knowledge representative of those that all students should have in a literate society. They are not graduation-level tests. Rather, they represent the minimum levels of math, reading and written composition. |
| Next Planned Revision: |
This test is only available to those students who were in grade 8 in the school year 2004-2005 or before. The new graduation requirements (MCA-II or GRAD) are now required for students who entered grade 8 after that year. |
