MCA - General Information
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) are the state tests that help districts measure
student progress toward Minnesota's academic standards and meet the requirements of No Child Left
Behind. The reading and mathematics tests are used to determine whether schools and districts have
made adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward all students being proficient in 2014. Science is
required for No Child Left Behind but is not included in AYP calculations at this time.
Reading and mathematics tests are given in grades 3-8, 10 and 11. Science tests are given in grades
5, 8 and once in high school, depending on when students complete their life sciences curriculum.
MCA - General Information
MCA - Parent Information
The Assessment division provides information to parents on the Minnesota Comprehensive
Assessment (MCAs). Parent guides and brochures offer test preparation suggestions, provide an
overview and answers to frequently asked questions for each test.
The parent brochure contains questions and answers about the Mathematics, Reading and Science
MCA-IIs. The brochure is provided in English, plus the other nine languages most commonly spoken
by Minnesota students.
MCA - Parent Information
MCA Scale Score Interpretation
Did you ever wonder what the three numbers (467) mean on your child's MCA report? Click on the link below
and you can find out.
MCA Scale Score Interpretation
MCA Reports for Schools & Parents
This section contains examples of reports for schools, districts and parents, including the Individual Student
Report. For help interpreting these reports please see the Interpretive Guide available below. Summary test data
for schools and districts is located in the Data Downloads section of the MDE website.
Achievement Level Descriptors (ALDs) from the Individual Student Reports for reading, mathematics and science
are provided below. Developed by panels of Minnesota teachers, ALDs are general descriptions of achievement at
the four achievement levels for the Minnesota Academic Standards. Translations in nine languages are provided
for parents whose second language is English.
Reading and Mathematics ALDs
These individual ALDs can be downloaded by grade and subject.
MCA Reports for Schools & Parents
ELL General Information
The Research and Assessment division provides general information about statewide assessments for students
who are English language learners (ELL). Information provided includes testing schedules, rubrics and
descriptions of students at various levels of reading and writing proficiency and general information about ELL
tests. Assessments include the Test of Emerging Academic English (TEAE), the Mathematics Test for English
Language Learners (MTELL), the Minnesota Student Oral Language Observation Matrix (MN SOLOM) and the K-2
Reading and Writing Checklist.
For a quick overview of all ELL tests, including when the tests should be administered and which requirements
each test meets, please see "Assessments for English Language Learners - Overview" below.
English Language Learners General Information
Proficiency Levels on English Language Assessments
Reading and writing levels on the English language proficiency assessments are based on
standard setting sessions conducted after the 2002-2003 administration of the
assessments. Educators in the fields of English as a Second Language, bilingual education
and general education analyzed student performance and item difficulty to determine score
ranges for reading and writing. The Commissioner of the Department of Education
approved the levels set by the standard setting panels. For reading, students with scores in
proficiency level 4 are identified as proficient. For writing, students with scores in proficiency
level 5 are identified as proficient. Students with scores in proficiency levels 4 and 5 on the
MN SOLOM are considered proficient in listening and speaking.
Proficiency Levels on English Language Assessments
English Language Learners Parent Information
The Minnesota Department of Education has three specific tests for students classified as English language
Learners (ELLs): the Test of Emerging Academic English (TEAE), the Minnesota Student Oral Language
Observation Matrix (MN SOLOM) and the Mathematics Test for English Language Learners (MTELL). Parent
guides and brochures provide an overview and answer frequently asked questions about each test.
Information is provided for parents in English plus the languages most commonly spoken by Minnesota�s ELLs.
Parent brochures contain questions and answers about tests and are provided here in English, plus the other
nine languages most commonly spoken by Minnesota students.
English Language Learners Parent Information
English Language Learner Reports for Schools & Parents
The Research and Assessment division provides district administrators with examples of reports from English Language
Learner (ELL) assessments for schools and parents. ELL assessments include the Test of Emerging Academic English
(TEAE), the Minnesota Student Oral Language Observation Matrix (MN SOLOM), and the Mathematics Test for English
Language Learners (MTELL).
For help with interpreting these reports see the Interpretive Guide, which is available below. Summary test data for
schools and districts is located in the Data Downloads and School Report Card sections of the MDE website.
Achievement Level Descriptors (ALDs) from the Individual Student Reports are provided below. ALDs are general
descriptions of language proficiency at each of the achievement levels on the language proficiency assessments.
Translations in nine languages are provided for parents who use English as an additional language.
English Language Learner Reports for Schools & Parent
Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS)
Overview
The Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) is Minnesota�s alternate assessment based on alternate achievement standards. The MTAS is part of
the statewide assessment program and measures the extent to which students with significant cognitive disabilities are making progress in the
general curriculum. The MTAS is administered in reading, mathematics and science.
In order to meet federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requirements, the MTAS has been aligned with Minnesota's academic content standards
established for all students. Alternate assessments based on functional skills or skills that are taught at an earlier grade level may not be used for
Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) calculations. Additional information about federal guidelines for developing alternate assessments for students
with disabilities can be found on the * U.S. Department of Education Website.
The Alternate Assessment for Writing is used as the alternate assessment for the Written Composition Graduation-Required Assessment for
Diploma (GRAD). Information about this assessment may be found on the department�s Special Education Policy section of our website.
Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS)
MTAS General Information
The Minnesota Department of Education provides general information about the Minnesota Test of
Academic Skills (MTAS), the alternate assessment for students with the most significant cognitive
disabilities. Information provided includes fact sheets, frequently asked questions, participation
guidelines, resources and other general information about MTAS.
MTAS General Information
MTAS Parent Information
The Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) is Minnesota�s alternate assessment based on
alternate achievement standards. The MTAS is part of the statewide assessment program and
measures the extent to which students with significant cognitive disabilities are making progress in
the general curriculum. The MTAS is administered for reading, mathematics and science.
The parent brochure provides an overview and answers frequently asked questions about the MTAS.
The brochure is provided here in English, plus the three other languages most commonly spoken by
Minnesota students.
MTAS Parent Information
MTAS Reports for Schools & Parents
Districts give parents Individual Student Reports for the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) that show their
child's test results. Examples of these reports are provided below. For help interpreting these reports see the
Interpretive Guide available below.
Achievement Level Descriptors (ALDs)
Panels of Minnesota teachers develop Achievement Level Descriptors (ALDs). ALDs for the MTAS describe four
levels of achievement which represent reductions in depth, breadth and complexity of the Minnesota Academic
Standards for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Translations in three languages are
provided.
MTAS Reports for Schools & Parents
Graduation-Required Assessment for Diploma (GRAD)
The Graduation-Required Assessments for Diploma (GRAD) are the state tests that fulfill Minnesota�s high
school graduation requirement for students who first entered grade 8 in 2005-06 or later. These tests
measure student performance on essential skills in Writing, Reading and Mathematics for success in the
21st century. If a student does not satisfy the graduation requirement for an assessment during the first
administration, there will be retest opportunities available.
Graduation-Required Assessment for Diploma (GRAD)
GRAD Parent Information
The Research and Assessment division provides information to parents on the Graduation-Required Assessments for Diploma component of
the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment--Series II (MCA-II/GRAD). Parent guides and brochures offer an overview of each test, answers to
frequently asked questions, and provide test preparation suggestions
The parent brochure contains questions and answers about the Reading and Mathematics MCA-II/GRAD and the GRAD Test of Written
Composition. The brochure is provided here in English, plus the other nine languages most commonly spoken by Minnesota students.
GRAD Parent Information
GRAD Reports for Schools & Parents
The Research and Assessment division provides examples of reports for schools, districts and parents when available, such
as the School and District Summary Report and Individual Student Report. For help interpreting these reports see the
Interpretive Guide available below.
GRAD Reports for Schools & Parents