Assessments & Testing Schedules

ACCESS for ELL is a state required assessment used to measure English language proficiency based on Minnesota Standards for English Language Development and to meet the requirements of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Students will be assessed in the areas of Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. The length of each test is: Reading – up to 60 minutes, Writing – up to 90 minutes, Listening – up to 65 minutes, Speaking – up to 50 minutes.

The ACT is the leading US college admissions test, measuring what you learn in high school to determine your academic readiness for college. The ACT plus Writing is offered to all 11th grade students and 12th grade students that have not been offered the test previously. Four skill areas are covered in the test: English, mathematics, reading, and science. The writing portion of the test measures skill in planning and writing a short essay.

Student Exam Fee Required – please see your counselor with questions.

CogAT testing is a district determined test administered in grades 2 and 4 to evaluate specific reasoning skills in the areas of Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal batteries. This test assesses cognitive development, the ability to learn new tasks, and problem solving abilities. The CogAT test is administered in early November of the school year.

FastBridge testing is a district-determined computer adaptive assessment given to students in grades K-8 during the fall, winter, and spring in the areas of reading and math. Every tool uses brief, evidence-based CBM probes that are highly sensitive to growth, easily administered, and supported by significant educational research from Dr. Theodore J. Christ and his research team at the University of Minnesota to ensure validity and reliability. Each test takes roughly 30 minutes. Results will be communicated to families via mailings, handed out at Parent/Teacher Conferences, or can be found in the Parent Portal via Infinite Campus around mid-semester (fall test) and end of school year (spring test).

The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA/MTAS) test is the state determined test used in schools to measure student achievement in the areas of reading, math, and science. MCA Reading: Grades 3-5 and 10 MCA Math: Grades 3-5 and 11 MCA Science: Grade 5 and Students currently enrolled in a Life Science course. State tests are given to students in a district once a year, based on their grade level and subject area. These tests help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota’s academic standards and also meet federal and state legislative requirements.

The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is an optional standardized test offered by the school district and administered by the College Board and cosponsored by the Nation Merit Scholarship Corporation to students in grades 10-11. Scores from the PSAT are used to select the top students nationwide to compete for scholarships through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation scholarship programs. This nationally standardized test allows students to compare their performance with other college bound students. This test measures critical reading skills, math problem solving skills, and writing skills and provides the opportunity for students to experience a college entrance test in a practice setting. Following the test, students receive feedback about their performance on these critical academic skills. Students also have the opportunity to receive information from colleges.

STAR assessments are short tests that provide teachers with personalized learning data for each student. Star tests are computer adaptive, which means they adjust in difficulty to each answer students provide. This helps teachers get the best data to help students in the shortest amount of testing time (about 30 min). Students will take the STAR screener for math and reading 3 times throughout the year (fall, winter, spring). Star Assessments are research-based and scientifically proven to help teachers guide each student on their unique path to proficiency.

• PSAT - CollegeBoard
• Minnesota Department of Education

Parent/Guardian Participation Guide and Refusal Information