2013-2014 procedures manual final for-posting (1)

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December 2013 1 20132014 Procedures Manual

Procedures Manual

for the

Minnesota Assessments

20132014

Published December 2013


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Password Tracker for Statewide Assessment Websites

WebsiteName

Website URL Description My User IDMy

Password

DataSubmissionsPage of the

MDE Website

http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/DataSubLog

in/index.html

Assessment Secure Reports (formerlyMDE Secured Reports): Secured sectionof the MDE website for obtaining student,school, and district test results and

accountability reports.

Test WES: MDE website for performingpretest edits and waiver requests,checking student eligibility, performingposttest edits on test-related informationand viewing preliminary AYP participationreports.

GRR System: MDE website for providingdata about students meeting graduationassessment requirements throughalternate routes

These MDE systems use the same UserID and Password. However, access must

be granted for each site separately.

AmericanInstitutes for

Research(AIR)

MinnesotaAssessments

Portal

http://www.mnstateassessments.org

A portal to all the AIR systems andresources currently used by Minnesotadistricts and schools. Logins are requiredfor the Test Information DistributionEngine (TIDE), Online Testing System,Online Reporting System and LearningPoint Navigator. The same login andpassword are used for all systems towhich users have access.

World-ClassInstructional

Design andAssessment

(WIDA)

http://www.wida.us

As part of the WIDA Consortium,Minnesota districts administer theACCESS for ELLs and AlternateACCESS for ELLs English language

proficiency assessment to all Englishlearners in grades K12. Logins andpasswords are used to access online testadministrator training, test administrationand reporting resources.

MetriTech http://www.metritech.com

MetriTech is the service provider for theACCESS for ELLs and AlternateACCESS for ELLs assessments. Loginsand passwords are needed to order testmaterials.

Minnesota Department of Education website(http://education.state.mn.us)
http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/DataSubLogin/index.htmlhttp://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/DataSubLogin/index.htmlhttp://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/DataSubLogin/index.htmlhttp://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/DataSubLogin/index.htmlhttp://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/DataSubLogin/index.htmlhttp://www.mnstateassessments.org/http://www.mnstateassessments.org/http://www.mnstateassessments.org/http://www.mnstateassessments.org/http://www.mnstateassessments.org/http://www.mnstateassessments.org/http://www.mnstateassessments.org/http://www.mnstateassessments.org/http://www.wida.us/http://www.wida.us/http://www.wida.us/http://www.wida.us/http://www.wida.us/http://www.wida.us/http://www.metritech.com/http://www.metritech.com/http://education.state.mn.us/http://education.state.mn.us/http://education.state.mn.us/http://www.metritech.com/http://www.wida.us/http://www.wida.us/http://www.wida.us/http://www.wida.us/http://www.wida.us/http://www.mnstateassessments.org/http://www.mnstateassessments.org/http://www.mnstateassessments.org/http://www.mnstateassessments.org/http://www.mnstateassessments.org/http://www.mnstateassessments.org/http://www.mnstateassessments.org/http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/DataSubLogin/index.htmlhttp://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/DataSubLogin/index.htmlhttp://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/DataSubLogin/index.htmlhttp://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/DataSubLogin/index.html


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Minnesota Department of Education Contacts

1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville, MN 55113-4266

FAX: (651) 582-8874, EMAIL:[email protected]

Assessment Administration

Area Code 612: Jennifer Burton, (651) 582-8622,[email protected]

Area Codes 651, 763, 952: Tracy Cerda, (651) 582-8692,[email protected]

Area Codes 507, 320: Lisa Grasdalen, (651) 582-8485,[email protected]

Area Code 218: Julie Nielsen-Fuhrmann, (651) 582-8837,julie.nielsen-

[email protected]

Manager: Linda Sams, (651) 582-8431,[email protected]

Test Integrity/Security Specialist: Andrea Hansen, (651) 582-8512,

[email protected]

Title I and GRAD Assessments: American Institutes for Research (AIR)

o 1-877-215-8749; press 1 to reach AIR for general questions or press 2 to reach Data

Recognition Corporation (DRC) for shipping procedures

o

[email protected] FAX: 1-877-218-7663

Title III Assessments: WIDA and MetriTech

o WIDA: 1-866-276-7735;[email protected]

o MetriTech: 1-800-747-4868;[email protected]

Alternate Assessments

MCA-Modified and MTAS: Gail Schmidt (651) 582-8491,[email protected]

Donna Tabat, Division of Statewide Testing; (651) 582-8830,[email protected]

Minnesota Alternate Assessment: Writing:Eric Kloos, Special Education Policy,(651) 582-8268,[email protected]

Students with Disabilities

Students with IEPs (Policy): Eric Kloos, Special Education Policy,

(651) 582-8268,[email protected]

Students with 504 Plans: Adele Ciriacy, Office of Compliance and Monitoring,(651) 582-8249,[email protected]

Accommodations: See Area Code contacts above under Assessment Administration.

English Learner (EL) Education Program

EL Program Policies: Leigh Schleicher, State Title III Director,

(651) 582-8326,[email protected]

EL Programs: Michael Bowlus, (651) 582-8254,[email protected]

Accommodations: See Area Code contacts above under Assessment Administration.

Accountability System (AYP and MMR)

Stephanie Graff, Division of School Support, (651) 582-8242,[email protected]

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

Kate Beattie, NAEP Coordinator, (651) 582-8532,[email protected]

Minnesota Automated Reporting Student System (MARSS)

Roxann Neu, Student Accounting, (651) 582-8486,[email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Important Dates for 20132014

Important Dates for 20132014 Optional Local Purpose Assessment (OLPA)1

Assessment OLPA

Subject Mathematics

Download manuals and other resources September 13

Precode files sent nightly2,3 September 3February 20

TESTING DATES4 September 30February 21

1Results will be available immediately and only through AIRs Online Reporting System. No results will be

available through MDEs Data Center, and paper reports will not be provided.

2Districts may go to Test WES to view the list of the students included in the precode files sent nightly.Precode Student Eligibility in Test WES may be used to verify why a student may not be sent for testing or tochange schools when a student is testing at a different location than sent in the precode file.

3 20132014 MARSS data must be submitted in order to have students sent in precode files for OLPA. Thefirst day students will appear in TIDE is September 9.

4For OLPA, up to two testing opportunities are available for each student. A minimum of 14 calendar days isrequired between testing opportunities.


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Important Dates for 20132014 Title I Accountability Assessments5

Assessment MCA MCA-Modified MTAS MCA

Respon

-sible

Party

Subject Reading, Math Reading, Math

Reading,

Math,

Science6

Science6

DAC

Supplemental

Information Window

in TIDE

Dec 16Jan 24

DACPretest Editing in

Test WES

Dec 16Jan 24 (paper and online assessments)

Jan 24 (precode data used for initial test materials shipment)7,8

Jan 27May 8 (online assessments only)9,10

Jan 27May 159,10

DAC

Indicate Site

Readiness in Test

WES

Dec 16Feb 28

DACDownload manuals

and other resourcesJan 27

SUPT

Request Alternate

Assessment Waiver

in Test WES

N/AFeb 24

Mar 21N/A

DACReceive paper testmaterials

Mar 18 or 2511

Mar 4 or 11 Mar 18 or 2511

DACOrder additional test

materials in TIDEMar 18May 1

12

Mar 4

May 813

Mar 18May 1

12

5Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and Multiple Measurement Ratings (MMR) data release dates are still tobe determined and will be communicated by the MDE Division of Student Support.

6Science MTAS results will be released with Science MCA results; science is not used for AYP or MMRcalculations.

7Initial test materials quantities of regular and accommodated paper test materials (including accommodated

test materials for online assessments) and preprinted answer documents or labels for paper assessmentsare produced from this precode data. MARSS updates must be submitted by January 23 to be included inthe precode. This date may be earlier if a student information service provider is used. Check with yourprovider for dates.

8This date is also the deadline to select paper administration mode by school for the grades 38 and 10Reading MCA and grades 38 and 11 Mathematics MCA.

9Pretest Editing continues for online assessments until the day before the last day of the testing window sothat student enrollment and eligibility information continues to be updated in AIRs systems. Ifaccommodations are changed or entered during this time, accommodated test materials must be orderedthrough additional orders.

10 In order to have a student loaded for online testing or data entry, any MARSS updates need to be madetwo days before the scheduled test date. Once MARSS is submitted, that data is gathered overnight and is

visible in Test WES the next day. Any changes made in Precode Student Eligibility will be reflected in AIRssystems the next day. Manual changes include adding a student, changing testing location or grade, ordeleting a manual record.

11This shipment includes paper accommodated test materials for online assessments. When scheduling testadministration, keep in mind that these test materials will arrive after the opening of the online testingwindows.

12Additional test materials can be ordered in TIDE until noon on the day before the end of the paperadministration testing window. After this time, additional accommodated test materials for onlineadministrations and return shipping materials can be ordered by calling the AIR Help Desk and pressing 2 forDRC.


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Respon

-sible

Party


Reading,

Math,

Science6

Science6

DACData entry available

for LCI data14

N/A Mar 10 N/A

TESTING DATES

(including make-ups)

Onlinegrades 38, 10

reading and

grades 38, 11 mathematics:

Mar 10May 9

-----------------------Papergrades 38, 10

reading and

grades 38, 11 mathematics:

Apr 14May 2

Mar 17May 9

Test

administration

and data

entry:

Mar 17May 9

Mar 17May 16

DAC

Ship scorable test

materials, complete

online tests, or enter

student responseand scores by

Paper grades 1011:

Initial: Friday of test week, no

later than April 2915

Make ups: May 2

-----------------------

Paper grades 38: May 716-----------------------

All online tests or data entry

completed: May 9

All online tests or

data entry

completed: May 9

Enter grade

10 reading

score data by

April 2517

-------------------Enter all score

data by May 9

All online tests or

data entry

completed:May 16

DAC

Ship secure

nonscorable test

materials by

Paper administrations: May 14

Online accommodated test materials: May 23May 23

DAC

Retrieve grade 10

reading early

student-level results,

including graduation

letters, in ORS18

May 23 NA

DAC

and

Posttest Editing in

Test WES May 27Jun 13

13Additional test materials can be ordered until noon on the day before the end of the testing window so thattest materials will arrive in time for test administration.

14 The Data Entry Interface will open one week prior to the MTAS test administration and data entry windowto allow for earlier Learner Characteristics Inventory (LCI) data entry.

15In order to provide early results for high school, completed answer documents should be returned on the

Friday after the initial test date(s) but must be returned no later than April 29. Answer documents from make-up days may be sent in a separate shipment but answer documents shipped after April 29 will not be

included in early results.16Districts are encouraged to return materials as soon as tests are completed to facilitate the timely return ofresults. Materials from make-up days may be sent in a separate shipment.

17 Even though the MTAS testing and data entry window is open until May 9, the scores for the majority ofgrade 10 Reading MTAS students should be entered into the Data Entry Interface by Friday, April 25, so thattechnical work related to scoring and equating can be completed in time for the high school early resultsrelease on May 23. The availability of early reports and graduation letters for grade 10 Reading MTASstudents is contingent upon sufficient score data being entered by April 25.

18Grade 11 Mathematics MCA, MCA-Modified, and MTAS are not included in early reporting in 2014because of standard setting. Student results will be available with final assessment results.


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Respon

-sible

Party


Reading,

Math,

Science6

Science6

MARSS

MARSSLast day to updateMARSS data for

accountability19

Jun 11

DAC

Retrieve embargoed

final math (grades

38), reading and

science DSR and

SSR files in Secure

Reports20,21

Jun 25Jul 29

DAC

Retrieve embargoed

final math (grades

38), reading and

science school anddistrict summary

results in Secure

Reports22

Jul 15

DACLast day to request

a late score entryJul 25

DAC

Retrieve all

embargoed final

DSR and SSR files,

including grade 11

math, in Secure

Reports

Aug 8 NA

DAC

Retrieve all

embargoed finalschool and district

summary results,

including grade 11

math, in Secure

Reports

Aug 22 NA

19This date may be earlier if a student information service provider is used. Check with your provider for

dates.

20Preliminary results are also released in AIRs Online Reporting System (ORS) on June 27 for MCA (paper

administrations and responses entered into the Data Entry Interface for online Reading MCA), MCA-Modified, and MTAS. Results available through the Online Reporting System are preliminary because theydo not reflect changes from Posttest Editing. All other Title I results were available immediately after testadministration.

21 The 2013 District and School Student Results (DSR and SSR) files will be unavailable from August 17 todeploy grade 11 mathematics DSR and SSR files.

22 Reading and science summary results will be available under Test Results Summary. From July 15August 22, grades 38 mathematics summary results will only be available under the School ImprovementAssessment Reports. Once grade 11 mathematics results are available, all mathematics summary resultswill be available in Test Results Summary.


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Respon

-sible

Party


Reading,

Math,

Science6

Science6

DAC

Retrieve grade 11

math results,

including graduation

letters, in ORS

Aug 22 NA

MDE

Media receive

embargoed final

assessment results

for school and

district23

Aug 25

MDE

Public release of

final assessment

results in Data

Center

Aug 26

DACStudent reports

arrive in districtOct 20

DAC Student report DVDarrives in district Nov 17

DACLast day to request

a rescoreNov 26

23Media files will also be provided to districts through Assessment Secure Reports (formerly MDE SecuredReports) on the same date.


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Important Dates for 20132014 Title III Assessments24

Assessment ACCESS for ELLs and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs

Responsible

PartySubject Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking

DACOrder test materials through

MetriTechNov 4Dec 13

MDE Pull precode data for preprintedlabels

25

Dec 17

DAC Receive test materials Jan 15

DACOrder additional test materials through

MetriTechJan 17Mar 7

TESTING DATES Feb 3Mar 21

Make-up Dates Any day in the window after scheduled testing

DAC Ship test materials by Mar 25

DACRetrieve early student-level results in

Test WESMay 27

DAC andMARSS

Posttest Editing in Test WES May 27Jun 13

DACRetrieve embargoed final DSR and

SSR files in Secure ReportsJun 25

DAC

Retrieve embargoed final school and

district summary results in Secure

Reports

Jul 15

MDEPublic release of final assessment

results in Data CenterAug 26

DAC Student reports arrive in district Aug 26

DAC Last day to request a rescore Nov 28

24Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives (AMAO) data release dates are still to be determined and willbe communicated by the MDE Division of Student Support.

25This date may be earlier if a student information service provider is used. Check with your provider fordates.


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Important Dates for the 20132014 Written Composition GRAD Retests

Test Administration Nov 2013 Apr 2014

Responsible

PartySubject

Written Composition

Retest

Written Composition

Retest

DAC Download manuals Sep 13

DAC

Supplemental Information and

accommodated test materials

ordering window in TIDE

Sept 23Oct 4 Dec 16Jan 24

AIRPrecode data used for preprinted

test materials26

Oct 2 Jan 24

DAC Receive test materials Oct 23 Mar 18 or 25

DAC Order additional test materials27

Oct 23Nov 11 Mar 18Apr 21

TESTING DATES Nov 6 April 15

MAKE-UP DATES Nov 12 April 22

DAC Ship scorable test materials byInitial test date: Nov 8

Make-up date: Nov 14

Initial test date: April 18

Make-up date: April 25

DAC

Retrieve DSR and SSR files in

Secure Reports and assessment

retest results in ORS

Dec 12

May 23

DAC Student reports arrive in district Dec 18 May 27

DACLast day to

request a rescoreFeb 10 Jul 18

26Although preprinted test materials are produced from the precode on this date, nightly precode files areprovided to AIR by MDE to update student enrollment and eligibility information in the Online ReportingSystem. MARSS updates must be submitted one day prior to the pull date to be included.

27Additional test materials can be ordered until noon on the day before the end of the testing window so thattest materials will arrive in time for test administration.


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Important Dates for 20132014 Reading and MathematicsGRAD Retests

Month28

Sept

2013Oct 2013 Nov 2013

Dec 2013

Jan 2014

Feb 2014

Responsible

PartySubject

No

Retests

Reading

Math

Reading

Math

Reading

Math

No

Retests

Reading

Math

MDE

Eligible student names

available in TIDE fortesting from initial precode

file29

Sep 3 Oct 18 Nov 22 Dec 20

MDEPrecode files sentnightly

30

Sep 3

Oct 8

Oct 18

Nov 12

Nov 22

Dec 10

Dec 20

Feb 11

DAC

Last date for districts to

order accommodated testmaterials

31Sep 27 Nov 1 Nov 29 Jan 31

TESTING DATES

Opens at 7 a.m. on day 1

Closes at 5 p.m. on last day

Oct 1

Oct 9

Nov 5

Nov 13

Dec 3

Dec 11

Feb 4

Feb 12

Additional day for vendor customer service

during testing window (7 a.m.noon)Oct 5 Nov 9 Dec 7 Feb 8

DACShip accommodated test

materials byOct 11 Nov 15 Dec 13 Feb 14

DACDSR and SSR files

available on MDE website Oct 16 Nov 20 Dec 18 Feb 19

DACFinal date to request

rescoreOct 30 Dec 4 Jan 1 Mar 5

DACQuarterly shipment of

student reports to districtDec 2 Dec 2 Mar 3 Mar 3

28Students are eligible to retest every month the retests are offered.

29 In order to have a student loaded for online testing, any MARSS updates need to be made two days beforethe scheduled test date. Once MARSS is submitted, that data is gathered overnight and is visible in Test

WES the next day. Any changes made in Precode Student Eligibility will be reflected in AIRs systems thenext day. Manual changes include adding a student, changing testing location or grade, or deleting a manualrecord.

30Daily precode files are sent nightly. Districts may go to Test WES to view the list of the students includedin the precode file and use Precode Student Eligibility to verify why a student may not be sent for testing.Precode Student Eligibility in Test WES may also be used to add a student when a student is not submittedin MARSS (e.g., super seniors who only need to test and are not enrolled) or to change testing locationwhen a student is testing at a different location than sent in the precode file.

31Accommodated test materials require manual processing and orders must be submitted prior to thebeginning of the test window. See order forms in Appendix A of the Procedures Manualfor details.


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Important Dates for 20132014 Reading and MathematicsGRAD Retests

Month28

Mar 2014

Apr 2014

May 2014

Jun 2014

Jul 2014

Aug 2014

Responsible

PartySubject

Reading

Math

Reading

Math

Reading

Math

Reading

Math

Reading

Math

Reading

Math

MDE

Eligible student names

available in TIDE fortesting from initial precode

file29

Feb 21 Mar 21 Apr 18 May 23 June 20 July 18

MDEDaily MARSS pull for

precode30

Feb 21

Mar 11

Mar 21

Apr 8

Apr 18

May 13

May 23

June 10

June 20

July 8

July 18

Aug 12

DAC

Last date for districts to

order accommodated test

materials31

Feb 28 Mar 28 May 2 May 30 June 27 Aug 1

TESTING DATES

Opens at 7 a.m. on day 1

Closes at 5 p.m. on last day

Mar 4

Mar 12

Apr 1

Apr 9

May 6

May 14

June 3

June 11

July 1

July 9

Aug 5

Aug 13

Additional day for vendor customer service

during testing window (7 a.m.noon)Mar 8 Apr 5 May 10 June 7 July 5 Aug 9

DACShip accommodated test

materials byMar 14 Apr 11 May 16 June 13 July 11 Aug 15

DACDSR and SSR files

available on MDE website Mar 19 Apr 16 May 21 June 18 July 16 Aug 20

DACFinal date to request

rescoreApr 2 Apr 30 June 4 July 2 July 30 Sept 3

DACQuarterly shipment of

student reports to districtJune 3 June 3 June 3 Sept 2 Sept 2 Sept 2


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Table of Contents

Password Tracker for Statewide Assessment Websites .................................................................. 2

Minnesota Department of Education Contacts ............................................................................. 3

Important Dates for 20132014 ....................................................................................................... 4

Chapter 1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 19

Purpose of This Manual ............................................................................................................. 19

Service Providers ...................................................................................................................... 20

Information for New District Assessment Coordinators .............................................................. 21

MDEs Secure Systems ............................................................................................................. 21

New for 20132014 ................................................................................................................... 22

Chapter 2 Minnesota Assessments .......................................................................................... 29

Overview ................................................................................................................................... 29

Purpose of the Minnesota Assessment System ......................................................................... 29

Title I Accountability Assessments for the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and Multiple Measurement Ratings (MMR) ....................... 30

Title III Assessments for Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Annual

Measurable Achievement Objectives (AMAO) ........................................................................... 36

Graduation Assessment Requirements ..................................................................................... 37

Summary of Minnesota Assessments ........................................................................................ 46

Other Assessments ................................................................................................................... 47

Chapter 3 Responsible and Ethical Practices within the Assessment Process ......................... 51

Overview ................................................................................................................................... 51

Part I: General Principles of Professionally Responsible Practice .............................................. 52

Part II: Practices in Preparation and Administration of Minnesota Assessments ........................ 53

Part III: Practices in the Use and Interpretation of Minnesota Assessments Results .................. 57

Part IV: Test Security for Minnesota Assessments Materials ..................................................... 58

Part V: Training ......................................................................................................................... 65

Part VI: Monitoring and Audits ................................................................................................... 66

Chapter 4 Roles and Responsibilities for Testing ..................................................................... 71

Overview ................................................................................................................................... 71

Superintendent/Executive Directors Roles and Responsibilities for Testing .............................. 71

District Assessment Coordinators Roles and Responsibilities for Testing ................................. 72

School Principals Roles and Responsibilities for Testing .......................................................... 78

School Assessment Coordinators Roles and Responsibilities for Testing ................................. 79


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Technology Coordinators Roles and Responsibilities for Testing .............................................. 83

Test Monitors Roles and Responsibilities for Testing ................................................................ 84

MTAS Test Administrators Roles and Responsibilities for Testing ............................................ 86

MARSS Coordinators Roles and Responsibilities for Testing.................................................... 87

Chapter 5 Participation of Students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504

Plans ............................................................................................................................................. 89

Overview ................................................................................................................................... 89

General Information about Accommodations for Students with IEPs or 504 Plans..................... 90

General Information about Practices That Are NOT Accommodations ....................................... 95

Students with IEPs and 504 Plans and Graduation Assessment Requirements ...................... 109

Alternate Assessment Eligibility Information ............................................................................ 112

Chapter 6 Participation of English Learners ............................................................................ 121

Overview ................................................................................................................................. 121

Identification of English Learners ............................................................................................. 122

English Learners and Graduation Assessment Requirements ................................................. 125

Determining Appropriate Accommodations for English Learners ............................................. 127

Chapter 7 Students in Special Circumstances and Situations ................................................. 137

Overview ................................................................................................................................. 137

Adult Basic Education (ABE) Students .................................................................................... 137

Alternative Learning Centers (ALC), Alternative Learning Programs (ALP) and Private

Contract Alternatives ............................................................................................................... 137

Care and Treatment and Private Facilities ............................................................................... 138

Determining a Students Grade Level for Purposes of Title I and III ......................................... 138

District-Placed Students (Graduation Assessment Requirements only) ................................... 138

Dual-Enrolled Students or Concurrent Enrolled Students ........................................................ 139

English Learners (EL) .............................................................................................................. 140

Enrolled in Another State (MARSS State Aid Category = 14 or 52) ......................................... 140

Expelled Students .................................................................................................................... 140

504 Plan Students ................................................................................................................... 141

Foreign Exchange Students (MARSS State Aid Category = 2 or 15) ....................................... 141

Full Academic Year ................................................................................................................. 141

GED Students ......................................................................................................................... 142

Homebound/Non-Attendance Students ................................................................................... 142

Homeless Shelters .................................................................................................................. 142


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Home-Schooled Students ........................................................................................................ 142

Incarcerated Students at Correctional Facilities ....................................................................... 142

Independent Study Students ................................................................................................... 143

Individual Education Program (IEP) Students .......................................................................... 143

Intermediate Districts ............................................................................................................... 143

Medical Excuse ....................................................................................................................... 143

Moving Into or Out of the District during Testing ...................................................................... 144

New-to-Country English Learner .............................................................................................. 145

Open Enrollment/Parent Choice Program Students ................................................................. 146

Out-of-State Testing ................................................................................................................ 146

Parent Refusal ......................................................................................................................... 146

Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) Students .............................................................. 146

Private Schools (Non-Public Schools) ..................................................................................... 147

Retained Students ................................................................................................................... 147

Shared-Time Students (MARSS State Aid Categories = 16, 17 or 18) ..................................... 148

Significant Gap in Enrollment Students .................................................................................... 148

Special Education Sites, Combined Special Education/Vocational Education Programs ......... 148

Suspended Students ............................................................................................................... 149

Temporary Physical Limitations ............................................................................................... 149

Transfer Students from Another State (Graduation Assessment Requirements only) .............. 149

Virtual Schools ........................................................................................................................ 150

Summary ................................................................................................................................. 151

Chapter 8 Test Administration ................................................................................................ 153

Overview ................................................................................................................................. 153

Important Dates for 20132014 ............................................................................................... 153

Which Students Should Test.................................................................................................... 153

What Test Students Will Take.................................................................................................. 154

Where Students Should Test ................................................................................................... 154

Accountability Windows ........................................................................................................... 154

Scheduling and Administering Minnesota Assessments .......................................................... 155

Estimated Test Administration Times ....................................................................................... 163

Supplemental Information and Pretest Editing ......................................................................... 168

Test Materials Quantities for Title III Assessments .................................................................. 170

Test Materials Quantities for Title I Assessments and GRAD Retests ..................................... 171


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Non-Public Schools Ordering Statewide Assessments ............................................................ 174

Site Readiness Confirmation ................................................................................................... 176

Preparing a School Site for Testing ......................................................................................... 176

Selecting Test Monitors and Test Administrators ..................................................................... 179

Item Samplers, Online Student Tutorials, and Online Calculators ............................................ 180

Assigning Secure Test Materials to Students ........................................................................... 181

Calculator Use ......................................................................................................................... 182

Verifying and Correcting Student Information for Testing ......................................................... 187

Test Monitor and Student Directions ........................................................................................ 190

Test Administration Considerations for Title III Assessments ................................................... 192

Test Administration Considerations for Title I Assessments and GRAD Retests ...................... 193

Monitoring Test Administration ................................................................................................ 194

What Help Can Test Monitors Give to Students? ..................................................................... 194

Students Who Move to another Segment without Permission on Paper Assessments ............ 195

Misadministration by Test Monitor ........................................................................................... 196

Test Responses....................................................................................................................... 198

Valid Score Rules .................................................................................................................... 199

Leaving During Testing ............................................................................................................ 200

Weather Emergency ................................................................................................................ 202

Defective Material .................................................................................................................... 202

Misplaced Answers .................................................................................................................. 203

Answer Documents from a Previous Test Administration ......................................................... 203

What Students May Do after They Complete a Test ................................................................ 203

Make-ups ................................................................................................................................ 203

Test/Accountability Codes ....................................................................................................... 203

Other Demographic Codes ...................................................................................................... 206

Collection and Return of Student Responses and Secure Test Materials ................................ 207

Late Scoring of Answer Documents ......................................................................................... 210

Late Entry of Student Responses or MTAS Scores ................................................................. 210

Rescores ................................................................................................................................. 210

Chapter 9 Student Demographics and Data Editing ................................................................ 213

Overview ................................................................................................................................. 213

Demographic Data Elements and Assessment Precode Data ................................................. 213

Test WES ................................................................................................................................ 216


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Validation against MARSS and Assessment Records ............................................................. 219

Chapter 10 Minnesota Assessment Results ........................................................................... 221

Reporting Overview ................................................................................................................. 221

Online Reporting System ......................................................................................................... 221

Secure Reports (formerly MDE Secured Reports) ................................................................... 223

OLPA Reporting ...................................................................................................................... 226

Early Reports, Embargoed Final Assessment Results, and Accountability Results .................. 227

Communicating Assessment Results to the Media and Public ................................................. 229

Public Release of Final Results ............................................................................................... 230

Final Student Reports (Title I Assessments) ............................................................................ 232

Final Reports (Title III Assessments) ....................................................................................... 232

Final Student Reports (GRAD Retests) ................................................................................... 233

Making MCA Comparisons between Schools and Districts or Years........................................ 233

Learning Point Navigator ......................................................................................................... 234

Lexile Scores ........................................................................................................................... 235

Progress Scores ...................................................................................................................... 235

Minnesota Growth Model ......................................................................................................... 236

Public and Parental Access for Review of Statewide Assessments Policy ............................... 237

Use of Confidential Information ................................................................................................ 237

Appendix A Forms .................................................................................................................. 239

Appendix B Policy and Procedures ......................................................................................... 257

Appendix C Other Minnesota Assessments ............................................................................ 287

Appendix D Glossary .............................................................................................................. 291


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Chapter 1 Introduction

Purpose of This Manual

This Procedures Manualhas been prepared for District Assessment Coordinators (DACs),

administrators, teachers, specialists and others with a role in administering Minnesotas

assessments. It contains information about responsible test administration practices that will helpyou make informed decisions about properly administering statewide assessments in your school

or district. It is important that test administration practices are standardized across the state so that

all students, schools and districts are operating on a level playing field. This manual also contains

information about test security to maintain the integrity of the assessments and the validity of the

results.

As a result of the 2002 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA),

also known as the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, all students enrolled in a public school in

grades 38, 10 and 11, including those who receive special education services, must be assessed

annually with academic content assessments. In addition, English learners in a public school in

kindergarten through grade 12 are assessed annually with an English language proficiency test. Toreceive a diploma from a Minnesota public high school students must meet graduation assessment

requirements.

Public school students are students who have been entered in the Minnesota Automated Reporting

Student System (MARSS) and attend a public school in Minnesota. In recognition that students

have varied needs, a portion of this manual is devoted to answering the following question: How

do we appropriately handle special situations so that all students can participate meaningfully in

Minnesotas state testing program? Please refer to Chapter 7 of this manual for information on

assessing students in special circumstances and situations.

American Institutes for Research (AIR) will provide a copy of this manual for every public school

district and public school in Minnesota.View an electronic copy on the General Resources page of

the Minnesota Assessments portal(http://www.mnstateassessments.org/resources/?section=1).

There are several ways to use this manual:

Keep an electronic copy on your computer and make frequent use of the Find function

(Ctrl-F, Command-F).

Print some of the lists to use as checklists.

Make copies of forms in the appendices that you might need this year.

Use the MDE Contacts page in the front of the manual to find someone who can help you.

Use the Important Datespages in the front of the manual to schedule testing in your district

and make sure you do not miss an important event.

We have tried to make this manual as definitive as possible, and procedures in this manual should

be followed. However, we realize that with both upcoming ESEA changes and suggestions we

receive from those who use this manual, there will always be future versions of this manual.
http://www.mnstateassessments.org/resources/?section=1http://www.mnstateassessments.org/resources/?section=1http://www.mnstateassessments.org/resources/?section=1http://www.mnstateassessments.org/resources/?section=1http://www.mnstateassessments.org/resources/?section=1http://www.mnstateassessments.org/resources/?section=1


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Service Providers

American Institutes for Research (AIR) is the service provider for Minnesota assessments,

including

Mathematics Optional Local Purpose Assessment (OLPA)

Title I assessments: Reading, Mathematics and Science Minnesota Comprehensive

Assessments (MCA); Reading and Mathematics Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments-Modified (MCA-Modified); and Reading, Mathematics and Science Minnesota Test of

Academic Skills (MTAS)

GRAD retests: Reading, Mathematics and Written Composition Graduation-Required

Assessments for Diploma (GRAD)

AIRs responsibilities include providing technical assistance for developing, administering, scoring

and reporting the assessments to inform and improve high-quality instruction and support

successful outcomes for every student. AIR has subcontracted with Data Recognition Corporation

(DRC) to support some components of the Minnesota Assessments. DRCs main responsibilities

include printing, shipping and scoring paper tests. Please contact the Help Desk with questions:

Email:[email protected]

Phone: 1-877-215-8749

o Press 1 for questions on online testing, AIR systems, and login information.

o Press 2 for questions for DRC on paper assessments and shipping procedures.

Fax: 1-877-218-7663

Hours of operation:

o SeptemberMay: Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

o JuneAugust: Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

o Saturdays during the Reading and Mathematics GRAD retest window, 7:00 a.m. to

noon

Minnesota is a member of the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA)

Consortium. As a member, Minnesota districts administer the ACCESS for ELLs and Alternate

ACCESS for ELLs assessments to all English learner (EL) identified students in grades K12.

ACCESS for ELLs stands for Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-

State for English Language Learners. WIDA is the service provider for the ACCESS for ELLs and

Alternate ACCESS for ELLs. WIDA has subcontracted with MetriTech to support some

components of these assessments. MetriTechs main responsibilities include printing, shipping andscoring paper tests. Please contact the appropriate Help Desk with questions:

Email:

o MetriTech:[email protected]

o WIDA:[email protected]
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Phone:

o MetriTech: 1-800-747-4868 (ask for WIDA support)

o WIDA: 1-866-276-7735

Hours of operation:

o Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Information for New District Assessment Coordinators

In addition to this Procedures Manual, there are many resources available on the MDE website

and Minnesota Assessments portal for new District Assessment Coordinators. In particular, new

District Assessment Coordinators should review the New District Assessment Coordinator

Information on Accessing Systems and Resources.View this document on the Test Administration

page of the MDE website(http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/TestAdmin/index.html). This

document describes the steps that must be completed in order to be listed as the DAC contact for

your district and how to get login information for AIR, WIDA, and MetriTech. It also provides an

overview of the process for gaining access to MDE secure systems (see next section for additional

information) and provides references to available resources.

MDEs Secure Systems

MDEs secure systems that are related to assessment include Test WES, Assessment Secure

Reports (formerly MDE Secured Reports), Graduation Requirements Records (GRR) system,

MARSS WES and Student Identity Validation Interface.Access all of these sites via the Data

Submissions page of the MDE website

(http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/DataSubLogin/index.html).

Below is a description of the general process for requesting access to a secure MDE system;

detailed instructions are included on the Data Submissions page of the MDE website. For anyquestions about access to MDE secure systems, please [email protected].

1. Your superintendent (or charter school director) must authorize your access by completing

and faxing the applicable superintendents permission/authorization form to MDE. There are

separate authorization forms for each system on the applicable Data Submissions pages.

2. If you have not previously created an MDE account, then you will need to create one. You

will use this same login information for all MDE systems you will request access for.

3. Once your superintendent has faxed the applicable forms and you have an MDE account,

you must request access to each secure system (e.g., Test WES) by logging in to the

secure site you want to enter and selecting Request Access.

o You must actively log in and request accessaccess is not automatically granted after

the superintendent submits the form.

o Access must be requested separately for each secure system.

4. If access is granted, you will receive an email confirming that you now have access. Please

allow from one to five business days for approval.
http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/TestAdmin/index.htmlhttp://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/TestAdmin/index.htmlhttp://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/TestAdmin/index.htmlhttp://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/TestAdmin/index.htmlhttp://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/DataSubLogin/index.htmlhttp://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/DataSubLogin/index.htmlhttp://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/DataSubLogin/index.htmlhttp://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/DataSubLogin/index.htmlmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/DataSubLogin/index.htmlhttp://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/DataSubLogin/index.htmlhttp://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/TestAdmin/index.htmlhttp://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/TestAdmin/index.html


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5. If you have access to one secure system (like Test WES) and need access to another

secure system (like the GRR system), choose the site from the Data Submissions page,

and follow the instructions starting with Step 3. Note: District Assessment Coordinators who

have been granted access to Test WES automatically have access to the Assessment

Secure Reports (formerly MDE Secured Reports) and the authorization form does not need

to be completed.

Each district determines which staff has access to the various MDE systems and what their user

roles in the systems will be. Superintendents must annually review who has access for their district.

All persons with access need to be re-authorized, and any staff who no longer should have access

must be indicated in order to have their access removed. Please [email protected]

for information on staff who currently have access in your district.

Please see Chapter 9 for more information about how Test WES, MARSS WES and the Student

Identity Validation Interface are used for assessment purposes; the GRR system is described in

Chapter 2 and Assessment Secure Reports (formerly MDE Secured Reports) is described in

Chapter 10. User guides or other help documents are also available within the systems for

additional help.

New for 20132014

The symbol indicates significant additions or revisions to the 20132014 edition of this

manual. In the case of new assessments, we simply used the new symbol where the assessment

was introduced. The symbol is used to indicate clarifications of existing policies and

procedures.

A number of changes for this year are listed below. This list highlights the major changes for this

year, but districts must read this manual for further details related to all the changes.

Assessments

Spring 2014 is the first operational administration of the grade 11 Mathematics MCA-III

(online and paper administration mode available), grade 11 Mathematics MCA-Modified

(online administration only), and grade 11 Mathematics MTAS aligned to the 2007

Minnesota Academic Standards.

Spring 2014 is the last year of administration of all grades of the Reading and Mathematics

MCA-Modified. MCA-Modified will no longer be offered in spring of 2015 or after.

There is no GRAD component embedded in the grade 11 Mathematics MCA.

Based on the revisions to Minnesota Statute 120B.30, the graduation assessmentrequirements have changed and students are no longer required to pass the GRAD. These

changes are incorporated throughout the manual, especially in Chapter 2, but the new

symbol is not used for every change. Please see Graduation Assessment Requirementsin

Chapter 2 for the changes.

Reading and Mathematics GRAD are available to students every month retest windows are

available with the elimination of the six week remediation requirement.

Reading and Mathematics GRAD retests are no longer offered in September and January.
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The grade 9 Written Composition GRAD administration is no longer offered because these

students will meet graduation assessment requirements through the career and college

assessments which will include a writing component.

For 20132014, Written Composition GRAD retests are offered in November and April; a

July retest is no longer available. All students eligible for the Written Composition GRAD

retest may participate in the April retest administration (the April administration is no longer

only for grade 12 students).

The Minnesota Alternate Assessment: Writing can continue to be used as the alternate

assessment to meet graduation assessment requirements in writing as determined by the

IEP or 504 plan team. However, results from the Minnesota Alternate Assessment: Writing

are no longer entered into the Data Entry Interface; instead, results will be kept on file at the

district, and the Pass at Individual Rate must be indicated for writing for the student in the

Graduation Requirements Records (GRR) system.

For ACCESS for ELLs, the administration format has changed for the Listening test, and

WIDA has clarified policy around the administration time allowed for the Reading and

Writing tests.

o Beginning in 20132014, the listening items for the Listening test are pre-recorded forall tiers in grades 112 and provided to schools on CD or available through streaming

audio. Rather than listening to the test administrator read the scripted items, the

students will listen to a recording. Districts can decide to use the CD or stream the

audio as appropriate by student or groups of students.

o The Reading test is untimed, but the estimated administration times have been

updated. The test is designed to take no more time than indicated in the test

administration materials, but Test Administrators may use their judgment to extend

more time to a student who will productively use a reasonable amount of additional time

to complete the test.

o The Writing test is a timed test, and students may not exceed the time allowed.

Beginning in 2014, uncontracted Braille versions of the Reading and Writing ACCESS for

ELLs tests are available for order for English learners who have some proficiency in reading

Braille and who have this accommodation indicated in their IEP.

Administration

For OLPA, the Test Monitor and Student Directionsare now available in the same format as

the directions for the Title I online assessments. A Student Directionspresentation is

available to project to students prior to test administration in addition to the instructions for

Test Monitors in the Test Monitor Directions.

20132014 is the last year districts will be able to choose paper administration mode for the

Reading and Mathematics MCA. Beginning in 20142015, these assessments will be

available in online administration mode only (paper accommodations will still be available).

Beginning this spring, the Data Entry Interface will open one week prior to the MTAS testing

window to allow for earlier entry of Learner Characteristics Inventory (LCI) data. However,

MTAS tasks cannot be administered and scores cannot be entered until the MTAS testing

window opens.


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There are no longer state-assigned test and make-up dates for paper administrations of the

high school Reading and Mathematics MCA. Districts determine their testing schedule

within the testing window following the requirement that all schools within the district

administer the same segment(s) to a given grade on the same day.

Title pages appear at the beginning of each reading passage in the online Reading MCA,

and students should pause on the title pages if they will not have time to complete all items

associated with the next passage.

For 20132014, fewer reading passages will be used in the paper and online Reading

MCA, and each passage will have more items associated with it compared to the 2012

2013 administration.

The estimated times for administration of the grade 11 mathematics assessments are

potentially high estimates because this year will be the first administration of the grade 11

Mathematics MCA and MCA-Modified.

There are no segments in the online grade 11 Mathematics MCA and MCA-Modified.

Students may use a calculator on the entire test, and handheld calculators may be used.

See the Calculator Usesection in Chapter 8 for guidelines related to the use of handheld

calculators, especially the policy for calculator memory clearing.

For grade 10 Reading MTAS, the scores for the majority of students should be entered into

the Data Entry Interface by Friday, April 25, so that technical work related to scoring and

equating can be completed in time for the high school early results release.

In order to provide early results for high school, completed answer documents for paper

administrations of the grade 10 Reading MCA and grade 11 Mathematics MCA should be

returned on the Friday after the initial test date(s) in your district but must be returned no

later than April 29. Answer documents from make-up days may be sent in a separate

shipment but answer documents shipped after April 29 will not be included in early results.

For the November and April Written Composition GRAD retest administrations, districtsmust confirm for each administration if they will participate. If they do not indicate

participation during Supplemental Information, no regular test materials or preprinted

answer documents will be automatically sent for Written Composition GRAD retests.

For ACCESS for ELLs, a 5 percent overage of student test booklets is automatically

included in the test materials shipment. Based on quantities of unused test materials from

past years, the amount of automatic overage has been reduced from 10 percent to 5

percent.

For ACCESS for ELLs and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs, Test Administrators need to have

access to the one set of test materials (including the Test Administrators Script) for thegrade level cluster(s) that they are administering to prepare for administration. In addition,

for the Listening test, the Test Administrator also must check the speaker and CD player or

Internet connection prior to testing to confirm that the listening items are audible.

For grades 112 of the ACCESS for ELLs, MDE usually requires annual recertification of

Test Administrators for the speaking domain only, but because there are significant

changes to the administration and delivery of the Listening test in 2014, recertification for

every Test Administrator for the group-administered tests (reading, writing, and listening) is

required as well.


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The Test Security Notification Formhas been updated this year to more effectively collect

information from districts.

Scoring and Reporting

The valid score rules for grade 11 Mathematics MCA and MCA-Modified are now the same

as grades 38 and reading. Students must respond to 90 percent of the total number of

items in the assessment to receive a valid score (VS). Students responding to six or more

items but fewer than 90% receive a not complete (NC) score code. Students responding to

fewer than six items receive a not attempted (NA) score code.

In addition to Reading and Mathematics GRAD retests and online administrations of the

grades 38 Mathematics MCA and Mathematics OLPA, the following assessments will

have immediate results available in 20132014:

o Responses entered into the Data Entry Interface for grades 38 Mathematics MCA

o Online administrations of grades 38 and 10 Reading MCA

o Online administrations of and responses entered into the Data Entry Interface for

grades 5, 8, and high school Science MCA

If a district does not make a correction in MARSS during Posttest Editing, there is no way to

remove an invalid (INV) score code after Posttest Editing for cases where students EL

and/or special education designations in MARSS are incorrect (e.g., student took the

ACCESS for ELLs but was not EL-identified in MARSS). The request for rescore process

cannot be used to change the code since rescores are used only to verify the correct score

and not change a score code.

Because standards need to be set for the grade 11 Mathematics MCA, MCA-Modified and

MTAS this year, early student-level results, graduation letters, and rosters for grade 11

mathematics will not be available until final results are released.

Reporting of progress scores for the grades 38 Reading MCA-III on the Individual Student

Reports (ISRs) will start in 2014, as progress scores are most interpretable when two or

more years of results for a student can be reported.

Districts can access percentile growth charts on the Data Dashboard on the WIDA website

to determine how ELs growth in language acquisition ranks relative to other students. See

Chapter 10 for further information and the state login and password.

MDE Systems

Superintendents/executive directors must annually review who has access to MDE secure

systems for their district. All persons with access need to be re-authorized, and any staffwho no longer should have access must be indicated in order to have their access

removed.

The Limited English Proficient (LEP) indicator in MARSS has changed to EL (English

Learner); references in this manual will also use EL.

The reports currently under MDE Secured Reports (accessed through the Data Reports

and Analytics page) will be moving to a new page under the Data Center heading called

Secure Reports. These reports will also be organized under different report headings. At


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the time of this manuals publication, the release date and updated links on the website are

not available. Further information will be provided in theAssessment Update. The following

reports will be available under the Assessment Secure Reports heading: District and School

Student Results (DSR and SSR), Graduation Data List, Growth Detail and Summary, Prior

Performance Report for MCA-Modified Participation, Student Assessment History Report,

and Test Results Summary reports.

The Graduation Requirements Records (GRR) system has been updated to collect the

additional tests students can use to meet graduation assessment requirements (ACT,

WorkKeys, Compass, ASVAB, and district-determined equivalent assessments). Districts

also request reimbursement through the GRR system but the validation of reimbursements

will be handled through a separate system.

The Graduation Data List has been updated to include notations when a students record in

the GRR system indicates that the graduation assessment requirement has been met

through one of the alternate routes for GRAD or through the ACT, WorkKeys, Compass,

ASVAB, or a district-determined equivalent assessment.

In 20132014, districts can determine the test administration mode (paper or online) in Test

WES for the grade 11 Mathematics MCA (in addition to the grades 38 Mathematics MCAand grades 38 and 10 Reading MCA). It will default to the test administration mode

indicated in Test WES last year. Note: until this year, districts did not need to choose the

test administration mode for mathematics in high schools, so for the majority of high

schools the test administration mode for mathematics may be defaulted to online.

A downloadable file is available on the Precode Student Eligibility screen (where the

MARSS/SSID number is entered) that shows any manually added or changed records in

your district for the current year; this file can be used to help determine which manually

added records should be deleted after MARSS is up to date.

For students who change grades and have no new test eligibility, the students prior

eligibility will be removed from the precode files and removed in AIRs systems if thestudent is enrolled in grades 312.

The Student Assessment History report allows districts to look up the individual student

testing history for any student who has been enrolled in their district during the current

school year. The student test history look up is on an individual basis by MARSS number.

Now that this report available, the Request for Test Scores for Students No Longer Enrolled

form in Appendix A should only be used for students who are not enrolled (e.g., super

seniors who have completed all coursework but still need to meet graduation assessment

requirements).

For 20132014, the grades 38 embargoed final mathematics summary results will initiallybe available in the School Improvement Assessment Reports rather than through Test

Results Summary. This is because test results cannot be released in Test Results

Summary until all grades for the subject are available and grade 11 results are released

later due to standard setting.

The Data for Parents and Educators section of the website is being enhanced and replaced

by a new page called the Minnesota Report Card. The Minnesota Report Card page

currently allows tablet and mobile device users to access the public reports. When the

Minnesota Report Card is released on the MDE website, all users will access public results


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through the Minnesota Report Card rather than the current Data for Parents and Educators

page.

Clarifications and updates between publications of this Procedures Manualwill be published in the

weeklyAssessment Update. DACs indicated in MDE-ORG and superintendents automatically

receive the weeklyAssessment Update. Other interested district staff may email their name, email

address, and district name and number [email protected] receive the newsletter.

Comments and suggestions for improvements in the Minnesota Assessments testing procedures

are valuable to the growth and effectiveness of the testing program. The Minnesota Department of

Education and our service providers continually work to improve testing procedures for future

administrations. To send a comment to MDE, use the Comment Form in Appendix A or email

[email protected].
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Chapter 2 Minnesota Assessments

Overview

This chapter focuses on the assessments available in the Minnesota Assessment system and

taken by Minnesota students. First, it discusses the purpose behind the Minnesota Assessment

System. Next, it gives an overview of the Minnesota assessments, with emphasis on the Title I andTitle III assessments and the graduation assessment requirements. Then the chapter outlines

other assessments some Minnesota students may take in 20132014, such as ACTs EXPLORE

and PLAN and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The process of building

an assessment in the state of Minnesota from test development to standard setting has been

moved to Appendix B.

Purpose of the Minnesota Assessment System

The Minnesota Assessments program has three purposes:

1. To measure achievement towards meeting the Minnesota Academic Standards andto measure progress towards meeting Minnesotas standards for English language

development. Each assessment is designed to measure student performance on the

academic or language development standards identified in its test specifications.

2. To provide information for Minnesota graduates related to career and college

readiness.Minnesota expects its high school graduates to demonstrate the skills and

knowledge necessary for success beyond high school. Based on the revisions to Minnesota

Statute 120B.30, the graduation assessment requirements have changed. These

requirements will be discussed in detail later in this chapter.

3. To measure the academic progress of students over time.Minnesota has implemented

two complementary approaches to measuring academic progress of students across time.

Starting in 2007, the year-to-year progress of each student and cohort of students on the

Reading and Mathematics MCA-II was reported on a uniform score metric (the Progress

Score) that spanned grades 38. The deployment of the Mathematics MCA-III in 2011 and

Reading MCA-III in 2013 have required creation of new progress scales that are not directly

comparable to the original MCA-II Progress Score. The Progress Score is included in the

District and School Student Results (DSR and SSR) files and is printed on the Individual

Student Report (ISR) in grades 38; it only includes data from MCA-III tests. The Reading

MCA-III Progress Score will be reported for the first time in 2014 when two years of

individual score data are available. Teachers and administrators can use Progress Scores

when making instructional decisions.

With input from educators, the Minnesota Department of Education has also created a

growth model. Minnesotas Growth Model helps parents and educators compare each

students year-to-year achievement change against that of students who began the year at

equivalent achievement levels. Refer to Chapter 10 for additional information about growth.


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Title I Accountability Assessments for the Elementary and Secondary

Education Act (ESEA) Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and Multiple

Measurement Ratings (MMR)

The Title I section of ESEA requires that all public school students be assessed in grades 38 and

once in high school in reading and mathematics for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and Multiple

Measurement Ratings (MMR). In 20132014, the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA),

the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments-Modified (MCA-Modified) and the Minnesota Test ofAcademic Skills (MTAS) in reading and mathematics are used to meet this federal requirement.

ESEA also requires that students be assessed in grades 5, 8, and once in high school in science

but science assessment results are not included in AYP proficiency or MMR calculations. However,

student participation in the assessment is calculated. Grade 5 and grade 8 science use a

participation calculation that parallels the AYP participation calculations for reading and

mathematics. The high school calculation is the same except that only students with a matching

assessment are included in the calculation.

Minnesota public districts and schools, including charter schools, are required to assess all

students in the required grades who are enrolled in the district during the states accountabilitywindow. Students take one test in each subject as shown in Table 1. Most students take the MCA,

but students who receive special education services and meet alternate assessment eligibility

criteria may take the MCA-Modified or the MTAS.

Table 1. Title I Accountability Assessments in 20132014

Subject Assessments

Reading

Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) OR

MCA-Modified OR

Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS)

Mathematics

Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) OR

MCA-ModifiedOR


Science Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) OR


The Title I accountability assessments are aligned to the Minnesota Academic Standards. Asstandards are revised, a new series of assessments is developed to align with those standards.

Table 2 shows the current Title I accountability assessments, the academic standards to which

they are aligned and the administration mode in which they can be administered. In MDEs official

documents and test data, the series number is always addedat least in the initial referenceto

indicate the set of academic content standards that are being measured (e.g., MCA-III to designate

the mathematics academic standards adopted in 2007). Beginning in 20132014, the grade

11 mathematics assessments align to the 2007 academic standards.


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Table 2. 20132014 Title I Accountability Assessments and Corresponding AcademicStandards and Administration Mode

Mode

Test Subject Grades

AcademicStandardsAlignment Paper Online

MCA-III Reading MCA 38, 10 2010 Standards

MCA-III Mathematics MCA 38, 11 2007 Standards

MCA-III Science MCA 5, 8, 91232 2009 Standards N/A

MOD-III Reading MCA-Modified 58, 10 2010 Standards N/A

MOD-III Mathematics MCA-Modified 58, 11 2007 Standards N/A

MTAS-III Reading MTAS 38, 10 2010 Standards * *

MTAS-III Mathematics MTAS 38, 11 2007 Standards * *

MTAS-III Science MTAS 5, 8, 91232 2009 Standards * *

* Paper test materials used for individual administration; online score entry only.

Beginning in 20142015, there will be changes to the reading and mathematics assessmentsused to meet ESEA Title I requirements. As a result of U.S. Department of Education regulations

that require states to discontinue alternate assessments based on modified achievement

standards, MCA-Modified will no longer be offered in spring of 2015 or thereafter. In addition, the

revisions to Minnesota Statute 120B.30 require that career and college assessments are

implemented (beginning in 20142015) and that the grades 37 assessments are online, off-grade

adaptive assessments (beginning in 20152016).

In order to implement the career and college assessments in 20142015, students in

grades 8, 10, and 11 will be taking the MCA as well as the career and college assessments

because the career and college assessments must be federally approved to meet ESEA

Title I requirements. Because the career and college assessments cannot be approved to

meet ESEA Title I requirements prior to the first administration, students must take a test

that is already approved in addition to the new career and college assessments.

In order to implement the grades 37 online, off-grade adaptive assessments in 2015

2016, the Reading and Mathematics MCA will be available only in the online administration

mode beginning in 20142015.

Table 3 provides a high-level overview of these changes. Additional details about the changes to

the Minnesota Assessment System will be provided as they are determined.

32The high school Science MCA or Science MTAS is given to students in the year they complete their instruction in life

science, usually in a biology course.


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Table 3. Title I Accountability Assessments and Changes to the Minnesota AssessmentSystem by Year

Assessments 20132014 20142015 20152016

Title IAccountability

Reading andMathematics

Grades 38, 10, 11

MCA

OR

MCA-Modified33

OR

MTAS

Grades 38, 10, 11

MCA34

OR

MTAS35

AND

Students taking MCAin grades 8, 10, and 11

Career and CollegeAssessments36,37

Grades 37

MCA

OR

MTAS

Grades 8, 10, 11

Career and CollegeAssessments37,38,39

OR

MTAS

Title IAccountability

Science

Grades 5, 8, and HS

MCA

OR

MTAS

Grades 5, 8, and HS

MCA

OR

MTAS

Grades 5, 8, and HSMCA

OR

MTAS

Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA)

The primary purpose of the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments is to measure achievement

on the Minnesota Academic Standards. Districts and schools use the results to inform curriculum

decisions. Parents use the results to monitor the academic progress of their children over the

years.

For 20132014, districts decide at a school level which administration modeonline or paperof

the Mathematics MCA and Reading MCA will be administered. Beginning in 20142015,

these assessments will be available in online administration mode only (paper accommodations

will still be available).

33MCA-Modified is available in grades 58, 10, and 11.

34

Beginning in 20142015, the Reading and Mathematics MCA will be available in online administration mode only;paper accommodated test materials will still be available.

35In 20142015, if