Statewide assessments are tests that are given to Minnesota students each spring. They can be thought of as a snapshot of what students have learned.

Just as student picture day provides a single image of a student for that school year, Minnesota’s statewide assessments provide only part of the story of individual student learning. All the photos—from the full classroom, the full grade level or the full district—offer even greater insight. Think fashion trends. Hair styles. Pop culture.

In the same way, Minnesota’s statewide assessments give teachers, school districts and state education leaders information in context that they can use to make decisions about education. Teachers and schools can use the information to help guide instruction and better support students. The state and members of the public can use the data to focus on the important goal of providing equitable opportunities for all students across the state.

To provide these important snapshots of student learning, Minnesota students take some form of the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments, or MCAs. The MCAs are given in the spring of each year to students in grades 3–8 in reading and math. In high school, Minnesota students take one last Reading MCA in grade 10 and one last Math MCA in grade 11.

The Science MCAs are given in grades five and eight and once in high school. 

Students who receive special education services and meet eligibility requirements take the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) in the same grades.

Most Minnesota students will take the MCA online during their school day, likely in their classrooms. The MTAS is given by a teacher or another school administrator in a paper format. Each Minnesota school district decides when students will take their assessments within a designated spring testing window.

Both the MCA and the MTAS measure student learning of the Minnesota Academic Standards. More detailed information about Minnesota’s K–12 Academic Standards can be found on the Academic Standards section of the MDE website. 

Two downloadable Parent Fact Sheets about the MCA and MTAS are posted below. These documents provide more information about these two assessments.

Documents

• MCA Parent Fact Sheet 

• MTAS Parent Fact Sheet

For Minnesota students identified as English learners (ELs), an additional snapshot is needed to determine each student’s progress toward English language proficiency. These students take the ACCESS for ELs assessment every year. English learners who get special education services and meet participation guidelines may take the Alternate ACCESS for ELs.

The ACCESS monitors a student’s progress with English language skills in listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Students take the ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS every year until they meet the state's language proficiency requirements and can be exited out of English language instruction. Without scores from these assessments, students will continue to receive English language services. More information about Minnesota Standardized English Learner Procedures can be found on the English Learner Education section of the MDE website.

The ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS assessments are developed by the WIDA Consortium. More information about the WIDA English Language Development Standards can be found on the WIDA website. 

The downloadable ACCESS Parent Fact Sheet and Alternative ACCESS Parent Fact Sheet below provides more information about these assessments.

• ACCESS Parent Fact Sheet

• Alternate ACCESS Parent Fact Sheet

A screening assessment is like a temperature/blood pressure check.  It helps educators determine which students are or are not on track for grade level proficiency.  It serves as an indicator that there may be an academic or social/emotional concern. FastBridge is a suite of assessment tools designed to make assessment efficienc and instructionally relevant.

For more information, please refer to this informational document.

FAQ: Student Assessment Participation

Why does my child participate in assessments?

Assessments help educators understand how well students are learning and how instructional programs are working. Just as a school yearbook tells a more complete story when every student is included, assessment data is most useful when all students participate.

Assessment results help schools:

• Identify strengths and areas for growth
  
  

• Adjust instruction to better meet student needs
  
  

• Ensure resources are used effectively
  
  

• Monitor progress over time

What statewide assessments do students take?

Students in Minnesota participate in the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA). These assessments measure student learning of Minnesota academic standards and are used statewide to evaluate instructional effectiveness.

Results help the district and the state understand:

• How well students are meeting grade-level standards

• Trends in learning over time

• Whether instructional efforts are improving outcomes for all students

What are universal screening assessments?

Universal screening assessments are short check-ins that occur multiple times per year. They are similar to routine health screenings and help educators determine whether students are on track for grade-level learning.

The district uses FastBridge as its universal screening tool to:

• Monitor student progress

• Identify students who may need additional support or enrichment

• Inform instructional planning

Screening results are only one piece of information and are used alongside classroom work, observations, and family input.

What is the Minnesota READ Act?

The Minnesota Reading to Ensure Academic Development (READ) Act is a state law designed to ensure that all students are reading at or above grade level, beginning in kindergarten. It replaced the former Read Well by Third Grade law and took effect in 2023.

The READ Act focuses on early identification and support for students who may be experiencing reading difficulties.

What does the READ Act require schools to do?

Under the READ Act, school districts must:

• Screen all students in grades K–3 three times per year using a state-approved literacy screener

• Screen students in grades 4–12 who are not reading at grade level

• Use screening data to identify students who may need additional reading support

• Provide targeted, evidence-based reading instruction and interventions when needed

All literacy screening tools are approved by the Minnesota Department of Education and are designed to measure foundational reading skills.

Is literacy screening a high-stakes test?

No. Literacy screening is not a pass/fail test and does not affect grades or promotion. Its purpose is to identify students early so support can be provided before reading difficulties become more significant.

How are assessment results used?

Assessment data is never used in isolation. Educators review:

• Multiple assessment results over time

• Classroom performance and observations

• Student work samples

• Family input

This information helps teams make fair and informed decisions about instruction, support, and enrichment.

Does the district limit testing?

Yes. The district carefully reviews its assessment calendar each year to ensure that testing is purposeful and limited to assessments that provide meaningful information. State requirements and stakeholder input guide this process.

Can I opt my child out of assessments?

Families have the right to opt their child out of certain assessments, as permitted by law.

• Local assessments: Families may opt out annually by submitting the Opt Out Form for Local Testing 

• Statewide assessments (MCA): Families may submit the Opt-Out Form for Statewide Testing

• READ Act literacy screening: Families may submit the Opt-Out Form for READ Act Testing

Completed forms should be submitted to the school office.

What Parents and Guardians Should Know

Assessment information helps schools support students effectively.

• Assessments are one of several tools used to understand student learning

• Literacy screening helps identify reading needs early so support can be provided

• No single test score determines services or placement

• Families are partners in decision-making and are informed when additional support is recommended

• The district is committed to using assessment time responsibly and purposefully

If you have questions about assessments or your child’s results, please contact your school.

• 2025-2026 SY District Assessment Plan

• 2025-2026 SY District Assessment Schedule