Minnesota Assessments June 25, 2012 Presenter: Jennifer Dugan

Definitions Summative Assessment –Assessment at the end of a pre-determined period of time Formative Assessment –On-going assessments, reviews and observations Interim Assessment –Evaluate students’ knowledge and skills relative to a specific set of academic goals, typically within a limited time frame –Designed to inform decisions at both the classroom level and beyond

Definitions Criterion Referenced Assessment –Customized achievement test that describes student performance in terms of a specific standard Validity –The appropriateness or correctness of inferences, decisions or descriptions made about individuals, groups or institutions from test results Reliability –The extent to which test scores are reproducible

Testing aligned to most recent Minnesota Academic Standards –Mathematics annually in grades 3-8 and once in high school –English Language Arts (Reading) annually in grades 3-8 and once in high school –Science once in elementary (3-5), once in middle school (6- 8), and once in high school English Learners –Reading –Writing –Listening –Speaking education.state.mn.us 4 Testing Requirements

Graduation tests –Written Composition –Reading –Mathematics education.state.mn.us 5 Testing Requirements

Individual Student Statewide Testing (per year) Mathematics –Grades 3-8 and 11 Reading –Grades 3-8 and 10 Science –Grades 5, 8, and HS Written Composition –Grade 9 English Proficiency (for EL only) –Grades K-12

Mathematics, Reading, and Science Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) MCA-Modified Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) Language Proficiency Tests (ACCESS for ELLs) Graduation-Required Assessment for Diploma (GRAD) education.state.mn.us 7 Minnesota’s Current Assessment System

Academic Standards and Proficiency Minnesota Academic Standards are foundation for all development efforts for MCA, MCA- Modified, and MTAS –Test Specifications –Test Design –Item Development –Achievement Level Descriptors Achievement Levels and Reports

MCAs have moved or are moving to adaptive administrations for Math and Reading MDE calculates growth for Math and Reading for various purposes A vertical scale will be reported this year for Math MCA-III grades 3-8 Exploring options for additional reporting at HS for MCA-III Optional adaptive assessments are available for instructional purposes aligned to Minnesota Academic Standards (Math grades 3-8 fall 2012) 4-5 years from decision to implementation, depending on scope of change education.state.mn.us 9 Caveats

MDE Contact Information Jennifer Dugan –Director, Research and Assessment –(651)