An archive of the weekly update for District Assessment Coordinators from the Division of Statewide Testing.
September 20, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Learning Management System (LMS) Webinar and Office Hours, Data and Assessment Literacy Community of Practice Series, Assessment Inventory Session 3, New for 2023–24: MCA and MTAS Student Results Label PDFs, Alternate Assessment Coffee Break Series, New DAC Orientation (repeat), Odds and Ends.
September 13, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: New for 2023–24: Learning Management System (LMS), New Policy for ACCESS Online Group Sizes, Updated District Test Security Procedure, 2023–24 WIDA Self-Paced Workshops Now Available, New DAC Orientation, Service Available for Spring 2024: Regularly Scheduled Extracts to SIS and Data Warehouse Vendors, Reimbursements for College Entrance Exams, Odds and Ends.
September 6, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Deadline This Friday: Reimbursement Requests, Deadline This Friday for ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Requests, District Assessment Coordinator Trainings and Q&A Sessions (2023–24), 2023–24 ACCESS Manuals and Redesigned Training Courses Available Now, Student Assessment History Report Availability, Mathematics MCA-IV Test Specifications Public Review (Repeat), Odds and Ends.
August 30, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Benchmark Reports Coming Soon, Enter Reimbursement Requests in GRR by Sept. 8, Parent Fact Sheets, Educator Edition Celebrates First Anniversary, Upcoming Opportunities.
August 23, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Final Assessment Results Release Tomorrow, Final Individual Student Reports Delivery and Video ISRs, Finding Reports in WIDA AMS, WIDA Professional Learning Opportunities for 2023–24,Testing Calendars, Cell Phone Policies, Alternate Assessment Coffee Break Series.
August 16, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Final Assessment Results Release, Reporting Reminders, Final Individual Student Reports Delivery, Mathematics MCA-IV Test Specifications Public Review, and Updating DAC Assignments in MDE-ORG.
August 9, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Resources for New District Assessment Coordinators (DACs), Entering Reimbursement Requests in GRR, and Student Assessment History Report Rollover.
August 2, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Assessment Results Remain Embargoed, North Star Secure Report and Academic Secure Roster Functionality, Accountability Secure Release and Appeals, MDE Employment Opportunity: Early Childhood Longitudinal Data System Research Scientist, Upcoming Opportunities.
July 26, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: New for 2022–23: Video ISRs, District Testing Calendar, Volunteer Opportunity: Help Improve the WIDA ACCESS Speaking Test, Privacy Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) Webinars on Student Privacy and Data Security, Upcoming Opportunities.
July 19, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Embargoed Test Results Summary, Entering Reimbursement Requests in GRR, MDE Employment Opportunity, PearsonAccess Next Reports: Planned Unavailability, Upcoming Opportunities.
July 12, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: ACCESS Alternate Composite Calculations, 2023–24 WIDA Accessibility and Accommodations Updates, 2023–24 WIDA AM Technology Documentation, MDE Employment Opportunity: Data Governance Manager, Upcoming Opportunities, Tech Update.
June 28, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: District and School Student Results (DSR & SSR) in Secure Reports – Delayed, Reminder: 2023–2024 WIDA Screener Online Administration, Federal Testing, Calculations, and Reporting Waiver Public Comment, Preparing for Testing and Student Resources, 2020 ELA Standards Update, MDE Employment Opportunity: Data Practices and Analytics Director (Repeat), Upcoming Opportunities, Odds and Ends.
June 21, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: WIDA systems update, Early student-level results for ACCESS/Alternate ACCESS, Posttest Editing Discrepancies Report, Verifying information in MDE-ORG, New DAC Reporting Training 1 (repeat), MDE employment opportunity: Data Practices and Analytics Director.
June 14, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Embargoed student results in Secure Reports, Entering reimbursement requests in GRR, 2023–2024 WIDA Screener online administration, Odds and ends.
June 7, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Posttest editing final reminders, Test security checklist, Mathematics Alternate MCA test specifications public review – open until June 30, New DAC Reporting Training 1.
May 31, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Posttest editing reminders, Secure materials statue report available in PearsonAccess Next, 2023 testing time report available in PearsonAccess Next, Verifying information in MDE-ORG, Tech update.
May 24, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Posttest Editing Reminders, Mathematics Alternate MCA Test Specifications Public Review – Open until June 30, Entering Reimbursement Requests in GRR, MDE Summer Training Opportunities, Surveys Closing Friday, Odds and Ends.
May 17, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: MCA/MTAS Reporting: What’s New, Posttest Editing Starts Next Week, Early Student-Level Results for ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS, ACCESS Alternate Composite Calculations, WIDA AMS and DRC INSIGHT Updates for 2023–24, Three ACCESS Training Courses Unavailable for Summer 2023, Community Review Participants Needed, TestNav System Requirements: Review and Prepare for the 2023–24 School Year, Upcoming Opportunities, Tech Update.
May 10, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Science MCA Online Testing and Data Entry Deadlines, District Options in Test WES, May Q&A Webinar, MDE Survey, 2023 Minnesota PearsonAccess Next Survey, Late Score Entries for MCA and MTAS, Returning Secure Test Materials (repeat), MCA Student Readiness Tools (SRTs) Feedback Form, and Upcoming Opportunities.
May 3, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Testing Windows Closing, MDE Systems Upcoming Maintenance, Graduation Requirement Records (GRR) Q&A Session, Returning Secure Test Materials, Graduation Requirements Records (GRR) User Guide, MDE Employment Opportunity: Communications Specialist in Statewide Student Assessment (Repeat), Upcoming Opportunities.
April 26, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Test Security Reminder, Technical Bulletin – Confirm Managed Devices and Force Re-enrollment, Students Who Have Finished Testing, Data Entry for MCA and MTAS, Monitoring Testing Progress, Confirmations in Test WES, GRR Resources and Updates, MDE Employment Opportunity: Communications Specialist in Statewide Student Assessment, Upcoming Opportunities, and Tech Update.
April 19, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Key Resources and Who to Contact, TestNav Error Process, ME Test Code and Homebound Students, Students Missing in PearsonAccess Next (repeat), Graduation Requirement Records (GRR) Q&A Session: Rescheduled, DRC Technical Enhancements for 2023–24 Q&A Webinar, and 2023–2024 Parent/Guardian Participation Guide and Refusal Information.
April 12, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Alternate ACCESS Field Test, Important Dates for Results Release, District Monitoring of Test Administration, and Graduation Requirements Records (GRR) System Available.
April 5, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Students Missing in PearsonAccess Next, MCA/MTAS Irregularities, MCA/MTAS Reminders, Translation Settings on Student Testing Device, and Upcoming Opportunities.
March 29, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Shipping Deadline, Preferred Name in PearsonAccess Next, MTAS Administration Reminders, ACCESS Field Test Update, Manually Adding Students in Test WES, April Q&A: Postponed, Upcoming Key Dates for Posttest Editing and Early ACCESS/Alternate ACCESS Student Results, Soft Release of the MCA Student Readiness Tools (SRTs), Meet with Alternate Assessment Specialists to Give Feedback and Ask Questions, and Upcoming Opportunities.
March 22, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Testing Window Closing, MCA/MTAS Irregularities, Test Security Notification and Test Administration Report, Save the Dates! Balanced Assessment Systems and Assessment Inventory Professional Learning Series, Upcoming Opportunities.
March 15, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: March Q&A Session: General Test Administration, ACCESS/Alternate ACCESS Reminders, Monitoring MCA Test Sessions, and On-Demand Reports in PearsonAccess Next.
March 8, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Soft Release of the MCA Student Readiness Tools (SRTs), Students Moving Into or Out of the District during Testing, Indicating EL for ACCESS/Alternate ACCESS, Science MCA Test Materials, Verifying Student Information for MCA/MTAS, and Graduation Requirements Records (GRR) System Unavailable.
March 1, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Reminder: ARC Process Deadline is March 3, Preparing for MCA/MTAS, District Testing Calendar Reminder, Student Data Privacy When Communicating with MDE, Testing Windows and Scheduling Testing, and ACCESS Q&A Webinar.
February 22, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Soft Release of the MCA Student Readiness Tools (SRTs), ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS Administration, and Test Administration Reminders.
February 15, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Cell Phone and Device Policy, Common ACCESS/Alternate ACCESS Misadministrations, Updates on the Alternate ACCESS Field Test, Initial Shipment of MCA and MTAS Test Materials, PearsonAccess Next Setup and Preparation, PearsonAccess Next and TestNav Changes for 2023 MCA and MTAS Test Administrations, After Hours Testing, MTAS Administration 2023 Informational Meeting – Recording and Reading Sample Tasks Now Available and Odds & Ends.
February 8, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: WIDA AMS: Tasks and Resources, Reviewing User Accounts in PearsonAccess Next, Monitoring Training Completion, Medical Excuse Audit Findings, Upcoming Opportunities, and Odds & Ends.
February 1, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: February Q&A Session: Precode and General Test Administration, ACCESS/Alternate ACCESS Reminders, Updates on the Alternate ACCESS Field Test, MTAS Participation Documentation, Student Participation and Students in Special Circumstances and Situations, Upcoming Opportunities, and Tech Update.
January 25, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Preparing for ACCESS/Alternate ACCESS, PearsonAccess Next: New DACs (1–2 years), MDE Review of District Test Security Procedures, and District Monitoring of Test Administration.
January 18, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: ACCESS/Alternate ACCESS Additional Materials, Procedures Manual – Correction, Upcoming Resource Availability for MCA/MTAS, MCA Testing Directions: Online, District Testing Calendar Reminder, WIDA Educator Participation Opportunity, and Upcoming Opportunities.
January 11, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Preparing for ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS, Alternate Assessment Decision-Making and Documentation, Entering Preferred Names for MCA and MTAS, Training Management System (TMS) Dating Issue, and Upcoming Opportunities.
January 4, 2023 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: MDE DAC Test Administration Training Participation, Pearson DAC Test Administration Training, Pearson Technology Coordinator Training (Live), MTAS Administration 2023 Informational Meeting, Upcoming Opportunities, Tech Update.
December 21, 2022 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: January Q&A: Preparing for Test Administration, Verifying Shipping Addresses in MDE-ORG by Jan. 20, Preparing for Statewide Assessments: Selecting Test Administrators and Test Monitors, Odds and Ends, and Tech Update.
December 14, 2022 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: ACCESS Materials Ordering Closes Dec. 16, Staff Training Requirements, Alternate ACCESS Field Test FAQ Resource, Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) Participation Documentation, October 1 Filter, Upcoming Opportunities.
December 7, 2022 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Register for In-Person Training by Thursday, MCA Testing Directions, MTAS Manual and Forms, Submitting Security Violations to MDE, Spring 2023 MCA Infrastructure Readiness Checklist, Upcoming Opportunities, Odds and Ends, Tech Update.
November 30, 2022 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: DAC Test Administration Training: Registration, Preparing for ACCESS/Alternate ACCESS, Upcoming Opportunities, Odds and Ends.
November 23, 2022 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: November Q&A Session 2: Pretest Editing, Test Administration Training: Save the Date, December Q&A Session: Save the Date, Preparing for the ACCESS/Alternate ACCESS Testing Window, Pretest Editing in Test WES for MCA/MTAS Preparation, Upcoming Opportunities, Odds and Ends.
November 16, 2022 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: November Q&A Session 2: Pretest Editing, MCA Supports for Students with Dyslexia, Test Security Training: Options and Documentation, Required Distribution of Individual Student Reports (ISRs), WIDA Supported System Requirements, Upcoming Opportunities, Odds and Ends, and Tech Update.
November 9, 2022 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: WIDA Accounts, Additional Assessment Data Available, Upcoming Opportunities, and Odds and Ends.
November 2, 2022 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: November Q&A Session 1: Training Preparation, Alternate ACCESS Field Test – Test Administrator Manual Updates, Upcoming Opportunities, Odds and Ends.
October 26, 2022 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: MCA/MTAS Student Result Labels Additional Reprint, 2022–23 Accessibility and Accommodations Updates for ACCESS/Alternate ACCESS.
October 19, 2022 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Required Distribution of Individual Student Reports (ISRs), Student Data Privacy, User Account Management in PearsonAccess Next, Upcoming Opportunities.
October 12, 2022 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: New DAC Orientation, October Q&A Session: DAC Roles and Yearly Overview, and Odds and Ends.
October 5, 2022 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: New DAC Orientation, District Testing Calendar Reminder, Statewide Testing Participation for Students with IEPs or 504 Plans, Deadline for MCA and MTAS Late Score Entry or Rescore Requests, and Deadline to Apply to be a MTAS Field Auditor.
September 28, 2022 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Procedures Manual for 2022–23, Benchmark Achievement Level Descriptors on Testing 1, 2, 3, , 2022–23 College Entrance Exam Requirement, Central Office Services Service Device (COS-SD) Update, October Tech WIDA Q&A Webinars, Odds and Ends, Upcoming Opportunities, and Tech Update.
September 21, 2022 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: New DAC Orientation: Registration, District Test Security Procedure Reviews, Apply to be an MTAS Field Auditor, Reimbursements for College Entrance Exams, Data and Assessment Literacy (MnDAL) Online Learning Modules for Teachers, Science MCA Test Materials, Odds and Ends.
September 14, 2022 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: District Assessment Coordinator Trainings and Q&A Sessions (2022–23), Service Available for Spring 2023 MCA and MTAS: Regularly Scheduled Extracts to SIS and Data Warehouse Vendors, Translation Procedures, Alternate ACCESS for ELLs Field Test in 2023, New Resource for Using Science Results during Academic Standards Revision, Odds and Ends.
September 7, 2022 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Deadline This Friday: Reimbursement Requests, Student Assessment History Report, ACCESS/Alternate ACCESS Updates and Resources, Invitation to Math Teachers and Teachers of Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (repeat).
August 31, 2022 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Final Assessment Results Data, Benchmark Reports Coming Soon, Family Resources, Educator Edition, Odds and Ends.
August 24, 2022 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Final Assessment Results Release Tomorrow, Final Individual Student Reports Delivery, Invitation to Math Teachers and Teachers of Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities, 2024–25 State Testing Calendar.
August 17, 2022 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Final Assessment Results Release, Final Individual Student Reports Delivery, Updating DAC Assignments in MDE-ORG, Odds and Ends.
August 10, 2022 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Assessment Results Remain Embargoed, Student Assessment History Report Rollover, Entering Reimbursement Requests in GRR, Federal Testing Grant Awards Public Comment, Odds and Ends.
August 3, 2022 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Release of Test Results Summary, August Q&A Webinar for New DACs, Historical Growth Z-Score Data Leaving Academic Rosters August 8, New Monthly Newsletter: Educator Edition, Odds and Ends.
July 27, 2022 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: Release of Test Results Summary Delayed, New DAC Reporting Training 2, Accountability System Updates and Key Dates, District Testing Calendar, PearsonAccess Next Reports: Planned Unavailability, Odds and Ends, Upcoming Opportunities.
July 20, 2022 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: New DAC Reporting Training 2, Embargoed Test Results Summary, Entering Reimbursement Requests in GRR, WIDA Secure Portal Enhancements, Upcoming Opportunities.
July 13, 2022 | Assessment Update
This update contains articles on the following topics: MDE Employment Opportunity: Standards Implementation Manager, July Q&A Webinar for New DACs,, Confirm Shipping Address for Final Reports, New Pathways to Exit EL Status, PearsonAccess Next Reports: Planned Unavailability, ACCESS/Alternate ACCESS: 2022–23 Technology Documentation, Call for Assessment Inventory Examples to Spotlight Districts and Schools, Upcoming Opportunities, Tech Update.