Explanation
The IEP must address participation in state and district testing including needed accommodations. Accommodations listed on the assessment pages should be consistent with those needed in the classroom as documented in the IEP. Generally, assessments have some accommodations available to all students and others available only when identified within a current IEP.
While a parent has the option to complete the MDE opt out form for state testing for a given school year, the IEP should represent needed accommodations should the student take the test.
For district testing, if an assessment is not appropriate, we must state the reason why the specific district-wide assessment is not appropriate for the student and indicate what alternate assessment the student will be administered and why it is appropriate.
Note: The district maintains a spreadsheet of Accommodations, MTAS, etc. lists. If you need access to this, contact someone from Special Services Leadership.
State Assessments
MCAs & MTAS
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCS) for Reading, Math, and Science
Reading: Grades 3-8 and 11 | Math: Grades 3-8 and 11 | Science: Grades 5, 8, and once in high school
Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) is the alternative to the MCA - see resources below or SpEd Forms for eligibility
Civics Requirements
Occurs in high school in BC.
Districts vary in how they carry out these requirements. It often looks more like a class activity than test. However, to be exempt, it must be identified in the IEP.
State Assessments for English Language Proficiency Accountability
Given only to students identified as English Language Learners.
Has an alternate version. - see resources below or SpEd Forms for eligibility
District Assessments
ACT
Offered by the district as an option, typically in 11th-grade
Accommodations are available only if approved by ACT in the given timeline
Fastbridge aMath
Given in grades 2-9 at BCCS
Fastbridge aReading
Given in grades 2-11 at BCCS
Fastbridge EarlyMath
Given in pre-k/kindergarten/grade 1 at BCCS
Fastbridge EarlyReading
Given in pre-k/kindergarten/grade 1 at BCCS
Star 360 Math
Given at Insight Online School
Star 360 Reading
Given at Insight Online School
FAQs
SpEd Forms has a link to guidance in determining eligibility for both alternate state assessments. Please review these documents and connect with a member of special services leadership if you have further questions. MTAS eligibility guidance is linked in the MCAs and MTAS section (Eligibility Requirements for MTAS). Alternate ACCESS guidance is linked in the State Assessments for English Language Proficiency Accountability section (Alternate ACCESS for ELLS Participation Decision Tree). These documents are also linked above.