1. GRAD Background and Situation
Jennifer Dugan
Minnesota Department of Education
Director, Statewide Testing
“Leading for educational excellence and equity. Every day for every one.”

2. History of Graduation Tests in Minnesota
Basic Skills Test (BST)
Started with students beginning ninth grade in the school year
Meet basic requirements in:
Mathematics in grade 8
Reading in grade 8
Writing in grade 10
Final census administration for grade 8 was spring 2005 and spring 2007 for writing
In 2005 legislation replaced BST with MCA-II
education.state.mn.us

3. History of Graduation Tests in Minnesota
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) and Graduation-Required Assessment for Diploma (GRAD)
Started with students grade 8 in the 2005–2006
Demonstrate mastery of skills needed for success in 21st century:
Mathematics in grade 11
Reading in grade 10
Written Composition in grade 9
Initial administration for Mathematics and Reading GRAD embedded in MCA
education.state.mn.us

4. Alternate Pathway
In the 2009 legislative session, the statute changed the mathematics requirements for students in the classes of 2010–2014. Students must:
complete all coursework required for graduation,
complete all credits required for graduation,
participate in district-prescribed academic remediation in mathematics and
participate in at least two retests of the Mathematics GRAD or pass the Mathematics GRAD, whichever comes first.
education.state.mn.us

5. High School Assessments
National Trend
End of Course
Exit Exams
ACT and SAT
Exploring options for reporting for high school MCA-III
Utilizing available tools
EPAS system
education.state.mn.us