Research, Evaluation, & Assessment
The ISD 622 Research, Evaluation, and Assessment department facilitates data-informed decision-making through an equity lens by providing support in test administration and in collecting, organizing, analyzing, and reporting data to stakeholders. We provide the following services to schools and their students:
- Coordination of district, state, and national assessments
- Data analysis and reporting
- Student performance data systems
- Support for the classroom, common and formative assessment
- Facilitation of data-driven decision-making, research, and school improvement planning
Amy Luckner
Director of Research, Evaluation & Assessment
District Education Center (DEC)
School:
651-748-7474
Research, Evaluation, & Assessment Resources
- Standardized Assessment in District 622
- Bilingual Seals Program
- World's Best Workforce Annual Report
Standardized Assessment in District 622
Standardized assessments serve several purposes in District 622:
- Providing information for instructional decision-making;
- Screening for placement in such programs as academic interventions and enrichment offerings;
- Reporting to all educational stakeholders, from students to community; and
- Evaluating programs to determine what is working, what is not working, and what should be done next.
- State Accountability Assessments
- District Assessments
- College and Career Readiness (including ACT)
- Testing Calendars
- Student Time in Standardized Assessments
- Parent/Guardian Refusal for Student Participation in Assessments
State Accountability Assessments
State Accountability Assessments
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA)
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments measure student progress towards Minnesota’s academic standards in reading, math, and science. MCA results are used by the district in its school and district improvement processes and reported to the public for school and district accountability.
Purpose: To measure learning of the Minnesota Academic Standards and to meet federal ESSA accountability requirements.
Required by: State of Minnesota
Participants:
Reading: All students in grades 3-8 and 10
Math: All students in grades 3-8 and 11
Science: All students in grades 5, 8, and high school students enrolled in Biology
*Some students with significant cognitive disabilities may take the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) instead of the MCA.
Dates: Students take the MCA every spring.
Test length: Untimed; estimated testing time is 2 hours for Reading, 1.5 hours for Math, and 1.5 hours for Science
Results: Student reports are sent home with students (in elementary and middle) or mailed home (in high school) before the Fall conferences of the following year. School and district results are available on the Minnesota Report Card
Resources: Additional information including Parent Fact Sheets and score interpretation resources can be found on the Minnesota Department of Education website.
Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS)
The Minnesota Test of Academic Skills is the alternative state assessment that some students with significant cognitive disabilities may take instead of the MCA.
Purpose: To measure learning of the Minnesota Academic Standards and to meet federal ESSA accountability requirements
Required by: State of Minnesota
Participants: Students in special education who meet the eligibility requirements
Dates: Students take the MTAS every spring.
Test Length: Untimed; estimated testing time is 1.5 hours for Reading, 1 hour for Math, and 1.5 hours for Science
Results: Student results are sent home with students (in elementary and middle) or mailed home (in high school) before Fall conferences of the following year. School and district results are available on the Minnesota Report Card.
Resources: Additional information including Parent Fact Sheets and score interpretation resources can be found on the Minnesota Department of Education website.
ACCESS for ELLs
The ACCESS for ELLs assessment measures English learners’ progress towards meeting Minnesota’s standards for English language development in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. ACCESS results are used to determine support and programming for English learners, and to evaluate program effectiveness.
Purpose: To measure progress towards English language development standards and to meet federal ESSA accountability requirements
Required by: State of Minnesota
Participants: All students identified as English learners in Grades K-12
*Some English learners who receive special education services and meet the participation guidelines may take the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs instead of ACCESS for ELLs.
Dates: Students identified as English learners take ACCESS every spring.
Test Length: 65 minutes for Listening, 60 minutes for Reading, 50 minutes for Speaking, 70-90 minutes for Writing
Results: Student reports are mailed home in the Fall of the following year. School and district results are available on the Minnesota Report Card.
Resources: Additional information including Parent Fact Sheets and score interpretation resources can be found on the Minnesota Department of Education website.
District Assessments
District Assessments
Formative Assessment System for Teachers (FAST)
FAST is a comprehensive reading and math assessment system that supports district-wide assessment (universal screening) of all elementary students and progress monitoring for some students who are receiving additional support. Results from FAST assessments are used to measure students’ growth and inform instructional decision-making, including decisions for classroom instruction as well as decisions regarding additional support or enrichment for students.
Purpose: Universal screening and progress monitoring
Required by: ISD 622
Participants: All students in grades K-5 participate in universal screening; some students in grades K-12 participate in progress monitoring
Dates: Fall, Winter, and Spring
Test Length: Estimated testing time is 30 minutes for reading and 30 minutes for math
Results: Student results are available through classroom teachers during fall, winter, and spring conferences.
Resources: For more information on FAST measures, see the FastBridge website.
Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) Screener
The CogAT Screener is an assessment of students' reasoning and problem-solving abilities and includes verbal, nonverbal, and quantitative questions. These results are used as one of the multiple measures which help identify advanced learners who can benefit from accelerated learning opportunities.
Purpose: One of multiple measures used to help identify advanced learners
Required by: ISD 622
Participants: Students in grades 2 and 4
Dates: Fall (grade 4) and Spring (grade 2)
Test Length: 10 minutes per section (30 minutes total)
College and Career Readiness (including ACT)
College and Career Readiness (including ACT)
ACT Plus Writing
According to Minnesota State Statutes, school districts must provide high school students an opportunity to take a college entrance exam. District 622 has chosen to offer students the ACT Plus Writing in order to provide students with the most flexibility in selecting post-secondary institutions. All 11th graders will take the ACT Plus Writing during regular school hours on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. All 11th graders are eligible to take the test, even if they have already taken an ACT before.
Purpose: Provide students the opportunity to take a college entrance exam
Required by: State of Minnesota (districts choose which assessment to use)
Participants: All students in Grade 11 (and any new students in Grade 12 who have not already taken the ACT plus Writing).
Date: April 5, 2022
Test Length: 4 hours
Results: Student results are mailed directly from ACT to the address provided on the ACT test answer document.
Resources: For more information on the ACT, see the ACT website.
ACT National Test Dates
District 622 does not currently operate ACT Test Centers for national test dates. Students may register for and take the ACT at any available test center. Test dates, online registration, and other resources are available at http://www.actstudent.org/. Contact your high school counselor for information on fee waivers.
YouScience
Administered in the fall of 8th and 10th grades, the YouScience inventory provides information about student aptitudes, interests, and preferences, contributing valuable guidance for high school and career planning.
Testing Calendars
District 622 Testing Calendars
Schools within District 622 will administer state accountability assessments (MCA/MTAS, ACCESS/Alternate ACCESS) within the designated window (as delineated in the Assessment Overview and Calendar linked below).
In addition to the Assessment Overview and Calendar, detailed schedules for ACCESS/Alternate ACCESS and MCA/MTAS assessments are linked below. These schedules include specific information regarding grade levels, assessment domains/subjects, and days of testing. These schedules are tentative and may be updated or changed as needed. For more information on assessments your student may be taking please contact your student’s school.
Assessment Overview and Calendar 24-25 (includes testing windows)
K-5 State Assessment Calendar and Schedule (includes ACCESS/Alternate ACCESS and MCA/MTAS)
6-12 State Assessment Calendar and Schedule (includes ACCESS/Alternate ACCESS and MCA/MTAS)
Student Time in Standardized Assessments
Note: Times listed below are estimates. Many of the assessments are untimed, so students may spend more or less time than is listed below.
| District Assessments | Grades | Estimated Time | Dates Administered |
|---|---|---|---|
FastBridge earlyReading |
K, 1 | 10 mins (30 mins/year) | September, January, May |
FastBridge earlyMath |
K, 1 | 10 mins (30 mins/year) | September, January, May |
|
FastBridge aReading |
2-8 (and select high school courses) |
30 mins (90 mins/year) | September, January, May |
| FastBridge AUTOreading |
4-8 (and select high school courses) |
10 mins (30 mins/year) | September, January, May |
| FastBridge aMath | 2-8 (and select high school courses) | 30 mins (90 mins/year) | September, January, May |
FastBridge Reading CBM |
2- 5 | 3 mins (9 mins/year) | September, January, May |
| CogAT Screener | 2-4 | 30 minutes |
September (4th grade) April (2nd Grade) |
| State Assessment | Grades | Estimated Time | Dates Administered |
|---|---|---|---|
WIDA ACCESS for ELLs |
K-12 | Up to 4 hours 25 mins | February, March |
WIDA Alternate-Access for ELLs |
K-12 | Up to 2 hours | February, March |
| MCA, Math | 3-8, 11 | 1.5 hours | March-May |
| MCA Reading | 3-8, 10 | 2 hours | March-May |
| MCA Science | 5, 8. high school biology | 1.5 hours | March-May |
| MTAS Math | 3-8, 11 | 1 hour | March-May |
| MTAS Reading | 3-8, 10 | 1.5 hours | March-May |
| MTAS Science | 5, 8. high school biology | 1.5 hours | March-May |
| MTAS Plus Writing | 11 | up to 4 hours | March or April |
Estimated Maximum Time in Assessments by Grade (in hours)
| Grade | K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Estimated time on district standardized assessments |
1 | 1 | 3.75 | 3.25 | 4.25 | 3.75 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | ||||
Estimated time on state standardized assessments |
3.5 | 3.5 | 5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 5 | 3.5 | 5.5 | |||||
Estimated Total Time in Assessments (hours) |
1 | 1 | 3.75 | 6.75 | 7.75 | 8.75 | 7 | 7 | 8.5 | 3.5 | 5.5 | ||
Multilingual Students (ELLs) Additional time for English Language Acquisition testing |
4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
Parent/Guardian Refusal for Student Participation in Assessments
Parent/Guardian Refusal for Student Participation in Assessments
Parents or Guardians of District 622 students have a right to limit their child's participation in statewide and district assessments.
You may find more information about statewide testing and a form to refuse participation on the Parent/Guardian Guide and Refusal for Student Participation Form published by the Minnesota Department of Education.
If you wish to refuse participation in local, districtwide testing, please complete the 622 Parent/Guardian Assessment Refusal form.
Either form can be submitted to your school's main office. To ensure that your child's school is able to fulfill this request, please submit your completed form before the start of the school year or no later than January 15th. Every effort will be made to honor requests as well as make other arrangements for your child during testing. If you have questions, contact your building principal or Amy Luckner in the Office of Research, Evaluation, and Assessment (aluckner@isd622.org or 651-748-7474).
Bilingual Seals Program
World's Best Workforce Annual Report
District 622's World’s Best Workforce plan is a part of the continuous school improvement process that provides the 622 community an opportunity to learn about and provide feedback to district and school site goals for instruction and student achievement for all student groups. The World’s Best Workforce legislation provides structured guidelines to support students from early learning to college and career readiness.
There are five key components that make up the District 622 World’s Best Workforce Plan:
- All students are ready for Kindergarten
- All third-grade students are proficient readers
- Close achievement gaps for all student groups
- All students graduate from high school
- All students attain college and career readiness
