• Standardized Testing in District 622

    Standardized testing serves several purposes in District 622.
    • Providing information for instructional decision-making;
    • Screening for placement in such programs as academic interventions and high potential 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.

    National Assessments

    National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

    NAEP is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students in the United States know and can do in various subjects. Assessments are conducted periodically in mathematics, reading, science, writing, the arts, civics, economics, geography, U.S. history, and in Technology and Engineering Literacy. Only selected schools within District 622 participate each year and a random sample of students will be tested. No individual or school results are reported, but national results and more information can be found here.

    State Assessments

    District 622 follows all Minnesota Department of Education policies and regulations in regard to testing. 

    ACT Plus Writing

    ACT Plus Writing for all Minnesota 12th Graders 
    ACT Plus Writing is now a state test for 12th graders, who will take it during regular school hours on Tuesday, October 6, 2020.  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 seniors are encouraged to take the test, even if they have already taken an ACT before. 

    ACT Plus Writing for all Minnesota 11th Graders 
    ACT Plus Writing is now a state test for 11th graders, who will take it during regular school hours on Tuesday, March 30th, 2021.  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 juniors are encouraged to take the test, even if they have already taken an ACT before. 

    Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA)

    The MCA and MTAS (alternate assessment used with significantly cognitively disabled students) tests in reading, math, and science help schools and districts measure student progress toward the state's academic standards. The MCA reading tests are administered in grades 3-8, 10. Math is administered in grades 3-8 and 11. Science is administered in grades 5 and 8, and once during high school (grade 10 for most District 622 students). Test results are reported to the public, parents, and students, and are used to monitor trends in student achievement. Student results are sent home with students (in elementary and middle) or mailed home (in high school) before Fall conferences of the following year. Parent Fact Sheets and interpretation resources, created by the Minnesota Department of Education, can be found here.

    MCA scores can be used in determining course placement at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, potentially saving students significant money by demonstrating they do not need to take remedial courses in math or reading. The table below shows how MCA scores could affect course placement:

     Intended Course of Enrollment (or equivalent) Enrollment in Developmental Course Unless Additional Information Indicates Otherwise  Need More Information on Readiness      Enrollment in College Level Course
     College Algebra 1151 and below  1152-1157  1158 and above 
     Statistics 1145 and below  1146-1147  1148 and above 
     Other mathematics 1145 and below  1146-1149 1150 and above
     Reading Intensive 1041 and below  1042-1046   1047 and above
     
    For the list of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, please click here. 

    WIDA ACCESS for ELs

    This assessment of academic English language skills is given to all Limited English Proficiency students. It includes reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Minnesota is part of a multi-state consortium (WIDA) that uses this assessment to fulfill federal Title III testing requirements. Student results are sent home with students (in elementary and middle) or mailed home (in high school) before Fall conferences of the following year. Parent Fact Sheets and interpretation resources, created by the Minnesota Department of Education, can be found here.

    District Assessments

    Formative Assessment for Teachers (FAST)

    FAST is a comprehensive reading and math assessment system that supports district-wide assessment of all elementary students (universal screening) and progress monitoring for some students who are receiving additional help. Student results focus on developmental reading and math skills and are available through classroom teachers during fall, winter, and spring conferences.

    Measure of Academic Progress (MAP)

    MAP is a comprehensive reading and math assessment system that supports district-wide assessment of all secondary students (universal screening) and gives teachers information about student achievement of state standards. Student results are available through classroom teachers during fall and winter conferences.

    Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)

    The CogAT is an assessment of students' reasoning and problem-solving abilities and includes verbal, nonverbal, and quantitative questions. District 622 administers the test to all second-grade students in February of each year. These results are used as one of the multiple measures which, after further diagnostic assessment, helps identify advanced learners that can benefit from accelerated learning opportunities. Student results are available through 2nd-grade classroom teachers in early March.

    Career Exploration Inventories

    Career Cruising

    Career Cruising is a self-exploration and planning program that helps people of all ages achieve their potential in school, career, and life. In January, middle school students use Career Cruising to complete interest inventories before planning their 9th-grade schedules.

    MCIS

    The Minnesota Career Information System (MCIS) is a comprehensive career planning system for high school students. The web-based system provides components to guide students through the career development process in simple steps using powerful tools and resources. Students will find current information on post-secondary schools and the programs of study they offer, skills and interest assessments, information on occupations, scholarships, job search, and much more. Students create their own portfolios and personal learning plan that can be shared with family members. Students should contact their school counselors for more information. 

    Parent/Guardian Refusal

    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 to Statewide Testing, 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 Rachel David in the Office of Research, Evaluation, and Assessment (rdavid@isd622.org or 651-748-7474).
     

    Test Security Tip Line

    Maintaining the integrity of tests and test items is of great importance to the Minnesota Department of Education. Improper or unethical behavior by students or educators undermines the validity of test score interpretation. Please report suspected incidents of cheating or piracy of test items using the Minnesota Statewide Test Security Tip Line.