Assessments
Testing Programs
- Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments
- Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)
- Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test (IAAT)
- Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
- PLAN
- ACT
- EXPLORE
Graduation Required Assessment for Diploma (GRAD)
By state law, students who entered grade 8 in the 2005–06 school year or later must meet the requirements for the Graduation-Required Assessments for Diploma (GRAD) in reading, mathematics and writing in order to graduate from a Minnesota public high school. These tests will measure proficiency on the Minnesota Academic Standards and other essential skills.
During the 2009 legislative session the Minnesota legislature provide an alternative method for students to meet the mathematics GRAD requirement. This alternative applies only to students who graduate on or before the end of the 2013-2014 school year.
- Additional information about the GRAD
- Test preparation suggestions
- General Testing and Accountability Resources including links to ACT and SAT
Assessment Schedule
- 2011-2012 Assessment Schedule - Elementary School
- 2011-2012 Assessment Schedule - Middle School
- 2011-2012 Assessment Schedule - High School
Minnesota Department of Education Test Review Policy
Regarding Parental Review of GRAD and/or MCA Tests
To ensure parents’ access to their child’s test results while maintaining the security of the state-developed assessments, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has established the following procedure.
Parental Request for Review
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) provides parental access for review of Basic Skills Tests (BSTs), Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments – Series II (MCA-IIs), and similar statewide tests.
Parent/Guardians wishing to see their child’s responses to a statewide test must make the request in writing to the child’s district. The parent/guardian must provide a copy of their child’s student report with the written request.
The child’s district must then complete the Request to Review Student Responses form which is sent to the MDE. MDE will send a computer-generated copy of the student’s responses and a test book to the District Assessment Coordinator. The responses and test book are secure materials and all security procedures will apply, including signing by all relevant persons of the non-disclosure agreement provided on the MDE Website prior to reviewing materials.
The District Assessment Coordinator or designee will meet with the parent/guardians and child. Review of materials can not begin until the parent/guardian and child has signed the non-disclosure agreement. The parent/guardian is not allowed to make copies or take notes or examples out of the room. At the end of the review the District Assessment Coordinator or designee must collect all materials that the parent/guardian and child may have generated (e.g., notes, solutions to problems) for return to MDE.
The student responses, test book and other materials generated from the review must be returned to MDE Research and Assessment within ten days of receiving the materials.
Parent Request for Re-Scoring of a Test
Parents may also request that their child’s test be re-scored. The cost to the parent for this service is $125. To initiate a request, the parent must complete the required form and mail it with a check for the $125 fee directly to the test vendor. Parents who are interested in this service should contact the Edina Research and Evaluation Director at 952-848-4942 to obtain a copy of the request form.