Assessments

The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) are the state tests that help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota's academic standards and meet the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Students take the test for Math and Reading, starting in third grade and Science in fifth grade only. Starting in 2011-2012 students began taking the Math and Science MCAs on-line. Most students take the MCA, but students who receive special education services and meet eligibility criteria may take the MCA-Modified or the MTAS.

The National Spanish Examinations are online standarized assessment tools for Grades 6 -12, given voluntarily by over 3800 teachers throughout the United States to measure proficiency and achievement of students who are studying Spanish as a second language. The National Spanish Examinations are the most widely used tests of Spanish in the United States. In the spring of 2011, a total of 140,373 students participated in the online version of the exam. The National Spanish Examinations are recognized by many administrative and teaching associations and organizations at the local, state and national levels. The National Association of Secondary School Principals has placed this program on the NASSP National Advisory List of Contests and Activities for 2011-2012.