Test Name: ACCESS for ELLS

Administered to English learners in order to measure progress toward meeting Minnesota’s standards for English language development. This assessment measures students’ social and academic language in the areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing in kindergarten through grade 12. This test is 20 minutes per subject and administered between January - March.

Assessment description: The ACCESS test is based on academic standards aligned to: Social and Instructional Language, Language of Language Arts, Language of Mathematics, Language of Science, and Language of Social Studies. Teachers are able to use ACCESS results to monitor student progress and growth in English language acquisition. Students that demonstrate language proficiency as measured by this assessment are exited from the program and parents/guardians are notified.

The individual student report for parents/guardians provides information about four domains; listening, speaking, reading, and writing, as well as an overall score combining the four domains. A scale score is calculated and associated with a language proficiency level between 1 and 6. The parent/guardian report also includes a description of each proficiency level achieved.

Test Name: Concepts of Math (CoM)

Administered in kindergarten and grade 1 to determine students’ mathematical number sense and math readiness based on required knowledge and skills, interest and learning profiles. The focus of the CoM is on reasoning and problem solving. The CoM links to academic standards for math. The CoM is administered in September for baseline and again at the end of each trimester. 

Assessment Description: The CoM is a district developed assessment and is used by teachers to determine a student’s math acquisition. The CoM identifies strengths and areas of need. Using data, teachers are able to identify if students need extra support and which students face additional challenges. The CoM takes approximately 10-12 minutes the first administration. All items on the CoM are administered the first time a student takes the assessment. Thereafter, students start at the items that were missed during the first administration. 

Kindergarten components:

• Forward (to 31) and backward counting (from 20)
• One more (< 31) / one less (< 20)
• Numeral ID and ordering (to 31)
• Composing and decomposing numbers (to 10)
• Counting collections (to 20)  
• Addition and subtraction number stories (sums and minuends to 10) 

Results of the CoM are shared with parents/guardians through the A-H parent portal.  

Test Name: FAST earlyReading 

Administered to students in kindergarten and grade 1 in order to determine reading skill development. The earlyReading assessment is comprised of twelve components or subtests, three of which are used for all students in Anoka-Hennepin. The subtests given vary across grade level and season so as to best match reading skill development and reliably assess which students are meeting benchmarks and which students need additional assistance. The subtests given each test period are administered individually and are typically completed in 5-10 minutes per student.

Assessment Description:
Letter Names: Students are asked to read and identify letter names in random order. Students are assessed in reading fluency, as they are asked to read and identify letters in one minute.
Letter Sounds: Students are asked to read and identify letter sounds most commonly associated with each letter in random order. Students are assessed in reading fluency, as they are asked to read and identify the letter sounds in one minute.
Nonsense Words: Students are asked to read a list of nonsense words or parts of whole words for understanding of early phonics skills. Students are assessed for reading fluency and are asked to read a list of words in one minute. 

Kindergarten assessment for each trimester as follows: 

• Trimester 1: Concepts of Print, Letter Names, Onset Sounds, Letter Sounds
• Trimester 2: Onset Sounds, Letter Sounds, Nonsense Words, Word Segmenting
• Trimester 3: Letter Sounds, Nonsense Words, Word Segmenting, Sight Words

Results of the FAST earlyReading assessment are shared with parents and guardians through the A-H parent portal.

Parent Resources: 
Test Prep for Parents and Teachers
Parent Guide to Statewide Testing
Why State Testing Results Matter

Test Name: Concepts of Math (CoM)

Administered in kindergarten and grade 1 to determine students’ mathematical number sense and math readiness based on required knowledge and skills, interest and learning profiles. The focus of the CoM is on reasoning and problem solving. The CoM links to academic standards for math. The CoM is administered in September for baseline and again at the end of each trimester.

Assessment Description: The CoM is a district developed assessment and is used by teachers to determine a student’s math acquisition. The CoM identifies strengths and areas of need. Using data, teachers are able to identify if students need extra support and which students face additional challenges. The CoM takes approximately 10-12 minutes the first administration. All items on the CoM are administered the first time a student takes the assessment. Thereafter, students start at the items that were missed during the first administration.

Grade 1 components:

• Forward and backward counting (to 120)
• One more/ten more, one less/ten less
• Numeral ID and ordering (to 120)
• Composing and decomposing numbers (to 12)
• Addition and subtraction number stories (sums and minuends to 12)

Results of the CoM are immediate for teachers and are shared with parents/guardians through the A-H parent portal.

Test Name: Conceptual Place Value (CPV)

Administered in grades 1 through 3 to determine students’ mathematical number sense and math readiness based on required knowledge and skills, interests and learning profiles. The CPV is administered at the end of each trimester.

Assessment description: The focus of the CPV is on reasoning, problem solving, number sense and thinking algebraically. Strategies used with the CPV include addition and subtraction with multi-digit numbers and understanding the base 10 number system. The CPV links to the academic standards for math.

The CPV is a district developed assessment and is used by teachers to determine a student’s math acquisition. Teachers are able to identify areas of strength and areas of need. Using data, teachers are able to identify who needs extra support, along with who may face additional challenges.

The time students take to complete the CPV varies from 5 to 10 minutes. When students answer a task in error, the teacher stops the test.

Results are immediately available for teachers following the elementary data collection calendar, and results are shared with parents/guardians in the A-H parent portal. 

Test Name: FAST: earlyReading and Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM)

Administered to students in order to determine reading skill development. The earlyReading assessment is comprised of twelve components or subtests, three of which are used for all students in Anoka-Hennepin. The subtests given vary across grade level and season so as to best match reading skill development and reliably assess which students are meeting benchmarks and which students need additional assistance. The subtests given each test period are administered individually and are typically completed in 5-10 minutes per student. The Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM) is used in trimesters 2 and 3 in first grade. 

Assessment description:

Letter Sounds: Students are asked to read and identify letter sounds most commonly associated with each letter in random order. Students are assessed in reading fluency, as they are asked to read and identify the letter sounds in one minute. 
Nonsense Words: Students are asked to read a list of nonsense words or parts of whole words for understanding of early phonics skills. Students are assessed for reading fluency and are asked to read a list of words in one minute. 
Curriculum-based Measurement for Reading: Students are assessed for accuracy, error types, and qualitative features while they read a grade-level passage aloud. 

Grade 1 Assessments for each trimester as follows:

• Trimester 1: Letter Sounds, Sentence Reading, Nonsense Words, Sight Words, Word Segmenting
• Trimester 2: Nonsense Words, Sight Words, Word Segmenting, Curriculum-Based Measurement for Reading (CBM)
• Trimester 3: Sight Words, Word Segmenting, Curriculum-Based Measurement for Reading

Results are immediate to teachers and are shared with parents and guardians through the A-H parent portal.

Test Name: Conceptual Place Value (CPV)

Administered in grades one through three to determine students’ mathematical number sense and math readiness based on required knowledge and skills, interests and learning profiles. The CPV is administered at the end of each trimester.

Assessment description: The focus of the CPV is on reasoning, problem solving, number sense and thinking algebraically. Strategies used with the CPV include addition and subtraction with multi-digit numbers and understanding the base 10 number system. The CPV links to the academic standards for math.

The CPV is a district developed assessment and is used by teachers to determine a student’s math acquisition. Teachers are able to identify areas of strength and areas of need. Using data, teachers are able to identify who needs extra support, along with who may face additional challenges.

The time students take to complete the CPV varies from 5 to 10 minutes. When students answer a task in error, the teacher stops the test.

Results are immediately available for teachers following the elementary data collection calendar, and results are shared with parents/guardians in the A-H parent portal.

Test Name: Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)

Series of tests that measure students' general knowledge in reading and math through a state-aligned computerized test. MAP tests are adaptive tests that assess the instructional level and growth of each student. In Anoka-Hennepin the MAP test in reading and math is given in the fall, winter and/or spring in grades two through eight and intermittently into high school. MAP testing helps teachers identify areas that may be more challenging for students and, if necessary, adjust instructional strategies to improve students’ understanding.

Assessment description: Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) uses nationally determined norms based on the performance of the millions of students that take MAP. The MAP assessments are typically "normed" every three years; the latest norming year was 2020. That means comparisons among all U.S. students taking the test are updated every three years, which ensures that the comparisons remain accurate, reliable and useful to educators.

Each MAP assessment is made up of parts, which are called goals (sometimes thought of as strands). The strand scores indicate the student’s instructional level. In addition to goals, in reading, students are given a Lexile score which measures the difficulty level of written text. This is a useful tool for selecting books that are closely matched to the student’s reading skill so that the student is not bored by the simplicity of the text, nor are they hampered by its difficulty.

Anoka-Hennepin also uses the MAP in reading and math as a predictor of student achievement on the MCA-III assessments.
The MAP assessment takes approximately 60 minutes per subject for students to complete. MAP assessments are administered in the fall (September/October). Winter and spring MAP assessments are optional and administered on an as needed basis. The MAP assessment is adaptive, and students should be achieving approximately 50% of the items they receive correct.

The following are goal areas for each test:

MAP:Reading 

• Literature
• Informational Text
• Foundational Skills and Vocabulary 

Teachers can view results in weekly data loads in the district’s data warehouse tool. Parents can access results through the
A-H Connect parent portal. 

Parent Resources:
Test Prep for Parents and Teachers 
Why State Testing Results Matter 

Test Name: Conceptual Place Value (CPV)

Administered in grades one through three to determine students’ mathematical number sense and math readiness based on required knowledge and skills, interests and learning profiles. The CPV is administered at the end of each trimester.

Assessment description: The focus of the CPV is on reasoning, problem solving, number sense and thinking algebraically. Strategies used with the CPV include addition and subtraction with multi-digit numbers and understanding the base 10 number system. The CPV links to the academic standards for math.

The CPV is a district developed assessment and is used by teachers to determine a student’s math acquisition. Teachers are able to identify areas of strength and areas of need. Using data, teachers are able to identify who needs extra support, along with who may face additional challenges. The time students take to complete the CPV varies from 5 to 10 minutes. When students answer a task in error, the teacher stops the test.

Results are immediately available for teachers following the elementary data collection calendar, and results are shared with parents/guardians in the A-H parent portal.

Test Name: Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)

Series of tests that measure students' general knowledge in reading and math through a state-aligned computerized test. MAP tests are adaptive tests that assess the instructional level and growth of each student. In Anoka-Hennepin the MAP test in reading and math is given in the fall, winter and/or spring in grades two through eight and intermittently into high school. MAP testing helps teachers identify areas that may be more challenging for students and, if necessary, adjust instructional strategies to improve students’ understanding.

Assessment description: Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) uses nationally determined norms based on the performance of the millions of students that take MAP. The MAP assessments are typically "normed" every three years; the latest norming year was 2020. That means comparisons among all U.S. students taking the test are updated every three years, which ensures that the comparisons remain accurate, reliable and useful to educators.

Each MAP assessment is made up of parts, which are called goals (sometimes thought of as strands). The strand scores indicate the student’s instructional level. In addition to goals, in reading, students are given a Lexile score which measures the difficulty level of written text. This is a useful tool for selecting books that are closely matched to the student’s reading skill so that the student is not bored by the simplicity of the text, nor are they hampered by its difficulty.

Anoka-Hennepin also uses the MAP in reading and math as a predictor of student achievement on the MCA-III assessments.

The MAP assessment takes approximately 60 minutes per subject for students to complete. MAP assessments are administered in the fall (September/October). Winter and spring MAP assessments are optional and administered on an as needed basis. The MAP assessment is adaptive, and students should be achieving approximately 50% of the items they receive correct.

The following are goal areas for each test:

MAP: Reading

• Literature
• Informational Text
• Foundational Skills and Vocabulary

MAP: Mathematics

• Numbers and operations
• Algebra
• Geometry and measurement
• Data analysis

Teachers can view results in weekly data loads in the district's data warehouse tool. Parents can access results through A-H Connect parent portal.

Parent Resources:
Test Prep for Parents and Teachers
Parent Guide to Statewide Testing
Why State Testing Results Matter

Test Name: Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) – Math and Reading

State tests that help districts measure student progress toward proficiency or mastery of Minnesota's Academic Standards and meet the state and federal accountability requirements for reading and mathematics.
This test is untimed, however usually takes about 120-180 minutes per subject and is administered in the spring.

Assessment details: The primary purpose of the MCA-IIIs is to determine student proficiency on grade-level concepts, however, the tests for each grade level, as well as the strands within a particular grade level, are not equal in difficulty. These tests provide the district with beneficial information regarding students' strengths and weaknesses in order to make important decisions about curriculum and instruction. This better enables the district to monitor student achievement and to prepare students for graduation and success beyond high school.

Questions range in difficulty according to cognitive levels aligned to Webb's Depth of Knowledge model. Questions are aligned to level 1 (recall), level 2 (skill/concept), and level 3 (strategic thinking). As grade levels advance, the percentages of each of these types of questions change.

Alternate Assessment

The MCAs do not appropriately measure the knowledge and skills of a small number of students with significant cognitive disabilities related to grade-level content standards. Therefore, to ensure that all students in public schools are fully included in state accountability systems and have access to challenging instruction linked to state content standards, an additional assessment is administered to qualifying students.

The Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) is the alternate assessment for the MCA-IIIs and is administered to students with the most significant cognitive delays meeting set criteria. 

MCA-III Reading

The test consists of both fiction and nonfiction passages with multiple choice question types, as well as technology enhanced items.

Literature

• Key ideas and details
• Craft and structure

Informational text

• Key ideas and details
• Craft and structure
• Integration of knowledge and ideas

MCA-III Math 

Students are asked to respond to a variety of question types, including multiple types of technology-enhanced items.

• Number and operation
• Algebra
• Data analysis
• Geometry & measurement

Results are available end of July. Results are mailed home to parents/guardians end of summer/early fall. 

Parent Resources:
Test Prep for Parents and Teachers
Parent Guide to Statewide Testing
Why State Testing Results Matter
Parent Fact Sheet from Minnesota Department of Education
Frequently asked questions and Why test results matter

For additional information about the MCA you may go the Minnesota Department of Education website.

Test Name: Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)

Series of tests that measure students' general knowledge in reading and math through a state-aligned computerized test. MAP tests are adaptive tests that assess the instructional level and growth of each student. In Anoka-Hennepin the MAP test in reading and math is given in the fall, winter and/or spring in grades two through eight and intermittently into high school. MAP testing helps teachers identify areas that may be more challenging for students and, if necessary, adjust instructional strategies to improve students’ understanding.

Assessment description: Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) uses nationally determined norms based on the performance of the millions of students that take MAP. The MAP assessments are typically "normed" every three years; the latest norming year was 2020. That means comparisons among all U.S. students taking the test are updated every three years, which ensures that the comparisons remain accurate, reliable and useful to educators.

Each MAP assessment is made up of parts, which are called goals (sometimes thought of as strands). The strand scores indicate the student’s instructional level. In addition to goals, in reading, students are given a Lexile score which measures the difficulty level of written text. This is a useful tool for selecting books that are closely matched to the student’s reading skill so that the student is not bored by the simplicity of the text, nor are they hampered by its difficulty.

Anoka-Hennepin also uses the MAP in reading and math as a predictor of student achievement on the MCA-III assessments.

The MAP assessment takes approximately 60 minutes per subject for students to complete. MAP assessments are administered in the fall (September/October). Winter and spring MAP assessments are optional and administered on an as needed basis. The MAP assessment is adaptive, and students should be achieving approximately 50% of the items they receive correct.

The following are goal areas for each test:

MAP Reading:

• Literature
• Informational Text
• Foundational Skills and Vocabulary

Map: Mathematics

• Numbers and operations
• Algebra
• Geometry and measurement
• Data analysis

Teachers can view results in weekly data loads in the district's data warehouse tool. Parents can access results through A-H Connect parent portal. 

Parent Resources:
Test Prep for Parents and Teachers
Parent Guide to Statewide Testing
Why State Testing Results Matter

Test Name: Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) – Math and Reading

State tests that help districts measure student progress toward proficiency or mastery of Minnesota's Academic Standards and meet the state and federal accountability requirements for reading and mathematics.

This test is untimed, however usually takes about 120-180 minutes per subject and is administered in the spring.

Assessment details: The primary purpose of the MCA-IIIs is to determine student proficiency on grade-level concepts, however, the tests for each grade level, as well as the strands within a particular grade level, are not equal in difficulty. These tests provide the district with beneficial information regarding students' strengths and weaknesses in order to make important decisions about curriculum and instruction. This better enables the district to monitor student achievement and to prepare students for graduation and success beyond high school.

Questions range in difficulty according to cognitive levels aligned to Webb's Depth of Knowledge model. Questions are aligned to level 1 (recall), level 2 (skill/concept), and level 3 (strategic thinking). As grade levels advance, the percentages of each of these types of questions change.

Alternate Assessment

The MCAs do not appropriately measure the knowledge and skills of a small number of students with significant cognitive disabilities related to grade-level content standards. Therefore, to ensure that all students in public schools are fully included in state accountability systems and have access to challenging instruction linked to state content standards, an additional assessment is administered to qualifying students.

The Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) is the alternate assessment for the MCA-IIIs and is administered to students with the most significant cognitive delays meeting set criteria. 

MCA-III Reading

The test consists of both fiction and nonfiction passages with multiple choice question types, as well as technology enhanced items.

Literature

• Key ideas and details
• Craft and structure

Informational text

• Key ideas and details
• Craft and structure
• Integration of knowledge and ideas

MCA-III Math 

Students are asked to respond to a variety of question types, including multiple types of technology-enhanced items: 

• Number and operation
• Algebra
• Data analysis
• Geometry & measurement

Results are available end of July. Results are mailed home to parents/guardians end of summer/early fall. 

Parent Resources:
Test Prep for Parents and Teachers
Parent Guide to Statewide Testing
Why State Testing Results Matter
Parent Fact Sheet from Minnesota Department of Education
Frequently asked questions and Why test results matter

For additional information about the MCA you may go the Minnesota Department of Education website.

Test Name: Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)

Series of tests that measure students' general knowledge in reading and math through a state-aligned computerized test. MAP tests are adaptive tests that assess the instructional level and growth of each student. In Anoka-Hennepin the MAP test in reading and math is given in the fall, winter and/or spring in grades two through eight and intermittently into high school. MAP testing helps teachers identify areas that may be more challenging for students and, if necessary, adjust instructional strategies to improve students’ understanding.

Assessment description: Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) uses nationally determined norms based on the performance of the millions of students that take MAP. The MAP assessments are typically "normed" every three years; the latest norming year was 2020. That means comparisons among all U.S. students taking the test are updated every three years, which ensures that the comparisons remain accurate, reliable and useful to educators.

Each MAP assessment is made up of parts, which are called goals (sometimes thought of as strands). The strand scores indicate the student’s instructional level. In addition to goals, in reading, students are given a Lexile score which measures the difficulty level of written text. This is a useful tool for selecting books that are closely matched to the student’s reading skill so that the student is not bored by the simplicity of the text, nor are they hampered by its difficulty.

Anoka-Hennepin also uses the MAP in reading and math as a predictor of student achievement on the MCA-III assessments.

The MAP assessment takes approximately 60 minutes per subject for students to complete. MAP assessments are administered in the fall (September/October). Winter and spring MAP assessments are optional and administered on an as needed basis. The MAP assessment is adaptive, and students should be achieving approximately 50% of the items they receive correct.

The following are goal areas for each test:

MAP: Reading

• Literature
• Informational text
• Foundational skills and vocabulary

MAP: Mathematics

• Numbers and operations
• Algebra
• Geometry and measurement
• Data analysis

Teachers can view results in weekly data loads in the district's data warehouse tool. Parents can access results through A-H Connect parent portal. 

Parent Resources:
Test Prep for Parents and Teachers
Parent Guide to Statewide Testing
Why State Testing Results Matter

Test Name: Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) – Math and Reading and Science

State tests that help districts measure student progress toward proficiency or mastery of Minnesota's Academic Standards and meet the state and federal accountability requirements for reading, mathematics, and science.

This test is untimed, however usually takes about 120-180 minutes per subject and is administered in the spring.

Assessment details: The primary purpose of the MCA-IIIs is to determine student proficiency on grade-level concepts, however, the tests for each grade level, as well as the strands within a particular grade level, are not equal in difficulty. These tests provide the district with beneficial information regarding students' strengths and weaknesses in order to make important decisions about curriculum and instruction. This better enables the district to monitor student achievement and to prepare students for graduation and success beyond high school.

Questions range in difficulty according to cognitive levels aligned to Webb's Depth of Knowledge model. Questions are aligned to level 1 (recall), level 2 (skill/concept), and level 3 (strategic thinking). As grade levels advance, the percentages of each of these types of questions change.

Alternate Assessment

The MCAs do not appropriately measure the knowledge and skills of a small number of students with significant cognitive disabilities related to grade-level content standards. Therefore, to ensure that all students in public schools are fully included in state accountability systems and have access to challenging instruction linked to state content standards, an additional assessment is administered to qualifying students.

The Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) is the alternate assessment for the MCA-IIIs and is administered to students with the most significant cognitive delays meeting set criteria.

MCA-III Reading

The test consists of both fiction and nonfiction passages with multiple choice question types, as well as technology enhanced items.

Literature

• Key ideas and details
• Craft and structure

Informational text

• Key ideas and details
• Craft and structure
• Integration of knowledge and ideas

MCA-III Math 

Students are asked to respond to a variety of question types, including multiple types of technology-enhanced items:

• Number and operation
• Algebra
• Data analysis
• Geometry & measurement

MCA-III Science

The test consists of multiple choice questions and technology-enhanced items:

• Nature of science and engineering
• Physical science
• Earth and space science
• Life science

Results are available end of July. Results are mailed home to parents/guardians end of summer/early fall. 

Parent Resources:

Test Prep for Parents and Teachers
Parent Guide to Statewide Testing
Why State Testing Results Matter
Parent Fact Sheet from Minnesota Department of Education
Frequently asked questions and Why test results matter

For additional information about the MCA you may go the Minnesota Department of Education website.

Test Name: Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)

Series of tests that measure students' general knowledge in reading and math through a state-aligned computerized test. MAP tests are adaptive tests that assess the instructional level and growth of each student. In Anoka-Hennepin the MAP test in reading and math is given in the fall, winter and/or spring in grades two through eight and intermittently into high school. MAP testing helps teachers identify areas that may be more challenging for students and, if necessary, adjust instructional strategies to improve students’ understanding.

Assessment description: Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) uses nationally determined norms based on the performance of the millions of students that take MAP. The MAP assessments are typically "normed" every three years; the latest norming year was 2020. That means comparisons among all U.S. students taking the test are updated every three years, which ensures that the comparisons remain accurate, reliable and useful to educators.

Each MAP assessment is made up of parts, which are called goals (sometimes thought of as strands). The strand scores indicate the student’s instructional level. In addition to goals, in reading, students are given a Lexile score which measures the difficulty level of written text. This is a useful tool for selecting books that are closely matched to the student’s reading skill so that the student is not bored by the simplicity of the text, nor are they hampered by its difficulty.

Anoka-Hennepin also uses the MAP in reading and math as a predictor of student achievement on the MCA-III assessments.

The MAP assessment takes approximately 60 minutes per subject for students to complete. MAP assessments are administered in the fall (September/October). Winter and spring MAP assessments are optional and administered on an as needed basis. The MAP assessment is adaptive, and students should be achieving approximately 50% of the items they receive correct.

The following are goal areas for each test:

MAP: Reading 

• Literature
• Informational Text
• Foundational Skills and Vocabulary

MAP: Mathematics

• Numbers and operations
• Algebra
• Geometry and measurement
• Data analysis and probability

Teachers can view results in weekly data loads in the district's data warehouse tool. Parents can access results through A-H Connect parent portal. 

Parent Resources:
Test Prep for Parents and Teachers
Parent Guide to Statewide Testing
Why State Testing Results Matter

Test Name: Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) – Math and Reading

State tests that help districts measure student progress toward proficiency or mastery of Minnesota's Academic Standards and meet the state and federal accountability requirements for reading and mathematics.

This test is untimed, however usually takes about 120-180 minutes per subject and is administered in the spring.

Assessment details: The primary purpose of the MCA-IIIs is to determine student proficiency on grade-level concepts, however, the tests for each grade level, as well as the strands within a particular grade level, are not equal in difficulty. These tests provide the district with beneficial information regarding students' strengths and weaknesses in order to make important decisions about curriculum and instruction. This better enables the district to monitor student achievement and to prepare students for graduation and success beyond high school.

Questions range in difficulty according to cognitive levels aligned to Webb's Depth of Knowledge model. Questions are aligned to level 1 (recall), level 2 (skill/concept), and level 3 (strategic thinking). As grade levels advance, the percentages of each of these types of questions change.

Alternate Assessment

The MCAs do not appropriately measure the knowledge and skills of a small number of students with significant cognitive disabilities related to grade-level content standards. Therefore, to ensure that all students in public schools are fully included in state accountability systems and have access to challenging instruction linked to state content standards, an additional assessment is administered to qualifying students.

The Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) is the alternate assessment for the MCA-IIIs and is administered to students with the most significant cognitive delays meeting set criteria.

MCA-III Reading

The test consists of both fiction and nonfiction passages with multiple choice question types, as well as technology enhanced items.

Literature

• Key ideas and details
• Craft and structure

Informational text

• Key ideas and details
• Craft and structure
• Integration of knowledge and ideas

MCA-III Math

Students are asked to respond to a variety of question types, including multiple types of technology-enhanced items:

• Number and operation
• Algebra
• Data analysis
• Geometry & measurement

Results are available end of July. Results are mailed home to parents/guardians end of summer/early fall.

Parent Resources:
Test Prep for Parents and Teachers
Parent Guide to Statewide Testing
Why State Testing Results Matter
Parent Fact Sheet from Minnesota Department of Education
Frequently asked questions and Why test results matter

For additional information about the MCA you may go the Minnesota Department of Education website.

Test Name: Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)

Series of tests that measure students' general knowledge in reading and math through a state-aligned computerized test. MAP tests are adaptive tests that assess the instructional level and growth of each student. In Anoka-Hennepin the MAP test in reading and math is given in the fall, winter and/or spring in grades two through eight and intermittently into high school. MAP testing helps teachers identify areas that may be more challenging for students and, if necessary, adjust instructional strategies to improve students’ understanding.

Assessment description: Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) uses nationally determined norms based on the performance of the millions of students that take MAP. The MAP assessments are typically "normed" every three years; the latest norming year was 2020. That means comparisons among all U.S. students taking the test are updated every three years, which ensures that the comparisons remain accurate, reliable and useful to educators.

Each MAP assessment is made up of parts, which are called goals (sometimes thought of as strands). The strand scores indicate the student’s instructional level. In addition to goals, in reading, students are given a Lexile score which measures the difficulty level of written text. This is a useful tool for selecting books that are closely matched to the student’s reading skill so that the student is not bored by the simplicity of the text, nor are they hampered by its difficulty.

Anoka-Hennepin also uses the MAP in reading and math as a predictor of student achievement on the MCA-III assessments.

The MAP assessment takes approximately 60 minutes per subject for students to complete. MAP assessments are administered in the fall (September/October). Winter and spring MAP assessments are optional and administered on an as needed basis. The MAP assessment is adaptive, and students should be achieving approximately 50% of the items they receive correct.

The following are goal areas for each test:

MAP: Reading 

• Literature
• Informational Text
• Foundational Skills and Vocabulary

MAP: Mathematics

• Numbers and operations
• Algebra
• Geometry and measurement
• Data analysis and probability

Teachers can view results in weekly data loads in the district's data warehouse tool. Parents can access results through A-H Connect parent portal. 

Parent Resources:
Test Prep for Parents and Teachers
Parent Guide to Statewide Testing
Why State Testing Results Matter

Test Name: Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) – Math and Reading

State tests that help districts measure student progress toward proficiency or mastery of Minnesota's Academic Standards and meet the state and federal accountability requirements for reading and mathematics.

This test is untimed, however usually takes about 120-180 minutes per subject and is administered in the spring.

Assessment details: The primary purpose of the MCA-IIIs is to determine student proficiency on grade-level concepts, however, the tests for each grade level, as well as the strands within a particular grade level, are not equal in difficulty. These tests provide the district with beneficial information regarding students' strengths and weaknesses in order to make important decisions about curriculum and instruction. This better enables the district to monitor student achievement and to prepare students for graduation and success beyond high school.

Questions range in difficulty according to cognitive levels aligned to Webb's Depth of Knowledge model. Questions are aligned to level 1 (recall), level 2 (skill/concept), and level 3 (strategic thinking). As grade levels advance, the percentages of each of these types of questions change.

Alternate Assessment

The MCAs do not appropriately measure the knowledge and skills of a small number of students with significant cognitive disabilities related to grade-level content standards. Therefore, to ensure that all students in public schools are fully included in state accountability systems and have access to challenging instruction linked to state content standards, an additional assessment is administered to qualifying students.

The Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) is the alternate assessment for the MCA-IIIs and is administered to students with the most significant cognitive delays meeting set criteria.

MCA-III Reading

The test consists of both fiction and nonfiction passages with multiple choice question types, as well as technology enhanced items.

Literature

• Key ideas and details
• Craft and structure

Informational text

• Key ideas and details
• Craft and structure
• Integration of knowledge and ideas

MCA-III Math

Students are asked to respond to a variety of question types, including multiple types of technology-enhanced items:

• Number and operation
• Algebra
• Data analysis
• Geometry & measurement

Results are available end of July. Results are mailed home to parents/guardians end of summer/early fall.

Parent Resources:
Test Prep for Parents and Teachers
Parent Guide to Statewide Testing
Why State Testing Results Matter
Parent Fact Sheet from Minnesota Department of Education
Frequently asked questions and Why test results matter

For additional information about the MCA you may go the Minnesota Department of Education website.

Test Name: Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)

Series of tests that measure students' general knowledge in reading and math through a state-aligned computerized test. MAP tests are adaptive tests that assess the instructional level and growth of each student. In Anoka-Hennepin the MAP test in reading and math is given in the fall, winter and/or spring in grades two through eight and intermittently into high school. MAP testing helps teachers identify areas that may be more challenging for students and, if necessary, adjust instructional strategies to improve students’ understanding.

Assessment description: Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) uses nationally determined norms based on the performance of the millions of students that take MAP. The MAP assessments are typically "normed" every three years; the latest norming year was 2020. That means comparisons among all U.S. students taking the test are updated every three years, which ensures that the comparisons remain accurate, reliable and useful to educators.

Each MAP assessment is made up of parts, which are called goals (sometimes thought of as strands). The strand scores indicate the student’s instructional level. In addition to goals, in reading, students are given a Lexile score which measures the difficulty level of written text. This is a useful tool for selecting books that are closely matched to the student’s reading skill so that the student is not bored by the simplicity of the text, nor are they hampered by its difficulty.

Anoka-Hennepin also uses the MAP in reading and math as a predictor of student achievement on the MCA-III assessments.

The MAP assessment takes approximately 60 minutes per subject for students to complete. MAP assessments are administered in the fall (September/October). Winter and spring MAP assessments are optional and administered on an as needed basis. The MAP assessment is adaptive, and students should be achieving approximately 50% of the items they receive correct.

The following are goal areas for each test:

MAP: Reading 

• Literature
• Informational Text
• Foundational Skills and Vocabulary

MAP: Mathematics

• Numbers and operations
• Algebra
• Geometry and measurement
• Data analysis and probability

Teachers can view results in weekly data loads in the district's data warehouse tool. Parents can access results through A-H Connect parent portal. 

Parent Resources:
Test Prep for Parents and Teachers
Parent Guide to Statewide Testing
Why State Testing Results Matter

Test Name: Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) – Math and Reading and Science

State tests that help districts measure student progress toward proficiency or mastery of Minnesota's Academic Standards and meet the state and federal accountability requirements for reading, mathematics, and science.
This test is untimed, however usually takes about 120-180 minutes per subject and is administered in the spring.

Assessment details: The primary purpose of the MCA-IIIs is to determine student proficiency on grade-level concepts, however, the tests for each grade level, as well as the strands within a particular grade level, are not equal in difficulty. These tests provide the district with beneficial information regarding students' strengths and weaknesses in order to make important decisions about curriculum and instruction. This better enables the district to monitor student achievement and to prepare students for graduation and success beyond high school.

Questions range in difficulty according to cognitive levels aligned to Webb's Depth of Knowledge model. Questions are aligned to level 1 (recall), level 2 (skill/concept), and level 3 (strategic thinking). As grade levels advance, the percentages of each of these types of questions change.

Alternate Assessment

The MCAs do not appropriately measure the knowledge and skills of a small number of students with significant cognitive disabilities related to grade-level content standards. Therefore, to ensure that all students in public schools are fully included in state accountability systems and have access to challenging instruction linked to state content standards, an additional assessment is administered to qualifying students.

The Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) is the alternate assessment for the MCA-IIIs and is administered to students with the most significant cognitive delays meeting set criteria.

MCA-III Reading

The test consists of both fiction and nonfiction passages with multiple choice question types, as well as technology enhanced items.

Literature

• Key ideas and details
• Craft and structure

Informational text

• Key ideas and details
• Craft and structure
• Integration of knowledge and ideas

MCA-III Math 

Students are asked to respond to a variety of question types, including multiple types of technology-enhanced items:

• Number and operation
• Algebra
• Data analysis
• Geometry & measurement

MCA-III Science 

The test consists of multiple choice questions and technology-enhanced items:

• Nature of science and engineering
• Physical science
• Earth and space science
• Life science

Results are available end of July. Results are mailed home to parents/guardians end of summer/early fall. 

Parent Resources:
Test Prep for Parents and Teachers
Parent Guide to Statewide Testing
Why State Testing Results Matter
Parent Fact Sheet from Minnesota Department of Education
Frequently asked questions and Why test results matter

For additional information about the MCA you may go the Minnesota Department of Education website.

Test Name: Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)

Series of tests that measure students' general knowledge in reading and math through a state-aligned computerized test. MAP tests are adaptive tests that assess the instructional level and growth of each student. MAP testing helps teachers identify areas that may be more challenging for students and, if necessary, adjust instructional strategies to improve students’ understanding.

This test is administered to 9th grade students in the fall, winter and spring in specific courses and other students as determined at the building level. 

Assessment description: Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) uses nationally determined norms based on the performance of the millions of students that take MAP. The MAP assessments are typically "normed" every three years; the latest norming year was 2020. That means comparisons among all U.S. students taking the test are updated every three years, which ensures that the comparisons remain accurate, reliable and useful to educators.

Each MAP assessment is made up of parts, which are called goals (sometimes thought of as strands). The strand scores indicate the student’s instructional level. In addition to goals, in reading, students are given a Lexile score which measures the difficulty level of written text. This is a useful tool for selecting books that are closely matched to the student’s reading skill so that the student is not bored by the simplicity of the text, nor are they hampered by its difficulty.

Anoka-Hennepin also uses the MAP in reading and math as a predictor of student achievement on the MCA-III assessments.

The MAP assessment takes approximately 60 minutes per subject for students to complete. MAP assessments are administered in the fall (September/October). Winter and spring MAP assessments are optional and administered on an as needed basis. The MAP assessment is adaptive, and students should be achieving approximately 50% of the items they receive correct.

The following are goal areas for each test:

MAP: Reading

• Literature
• Informational Text
• Foundational Skills and Vocabulary

MAP: Mathematics

• Numbers and operations
• Algebra
• Geometry and measurement
• Data analysis and probability

Teachers can view results in weekly data loads in the district's data warehouse tool. Parents can access results through A-H Connect parent portal. 

Parent Resources:
Test Prep for Parents and Teachers
Parent Guide to Statewide Testing
Why State Testing Results Matter

Test Name: Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)

Series of tests that measure students' general knowledge in reading and math through a state-aligned computerized test. MAP tests are adaptive tests that assess the instructional level and growth of each student. MAP testing helps teachers identify areas that may be more challenging for students and, if necessary, adjust instructional strategies to improve students’ understanding.

This test is administered in the fall, winter and spring in specific courses and other students as determined at the building level.

Assessment description: Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) uses nationally determined norms based on the performance of the millions of students that take MAP. The MAP assessments are typically "normed" every three years; the latest norming year was 2020. That means comparisons among all U.S. students taking the test are updated every three years, which ensures that the comparisons remain accurate, reliable and useful to educators.

Each MAP assessment is made up of parts, which are called goals (sometimes thought of as strands). The strand scores indicate the student’s instructional level. In addition to goals, in reading, students are given a Lexile score which measures the difficulty level of written text. This is a useful tool for selecting books that are closely matched to the student’s reading skill so that the student is not bored by the simplicity of the text, nor are they hampered by its difficulty.

Anoka-Hennepin also uses the MAP in reading and math as a predictor of student achievement on the MCA-III assessments.

The MAP assessment takes approximately 60 minutes per subject for students to complete. MAP assessments are administered in the fall (September/October). Winter and spring MAP assessments are optional and administered on an as needed basis. The MAP assessment is adaptive, and students should be achieving approximately 50% of the items they receive correct.

The following are goal areas for each test:

MAP: Reading

• Literature
• Informational Text
• Foundational Skills and Vocabulary

MAP: Mathematics

• Numbers and operations
• Algebra
• Geometry and measurement
• Data analysis and probability

Teachers can view results in weekly data loads in the district's data warehouse tool. Parents can access results through A-H Connect parent portal. 

Parent Resources:
Test Prep for Parents and Teachers
Parent Guide to Statewide Testing
Why State Testing Results Matter

Test Name: Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) – Reading

State tests that help districts measure student progress toward proficiency or mastery of Minnesota's Academic Standards and meet the state and federal accountability requirements for reading.

This test is untimed, however usually takes about 120-180 minutes per subject and is administered in the spring.

Assessment details: The primary purpose of the MCA-IIIs is to determine student proficiency on grade-level concepts, however, the tests for each grade level, as well as the strands within a particular grade level, are not equal in difficulty. These tests provide the district with beneficial information regarding students' strengths and weaknesses in order to make important decisions about curriculum and instruction. This better enables the district to monitor student achievement and to prepare students for graduation and success beyond high school.

Questions range in difficulty according to cognitive levels aligned to Webb's Depth of Knowledge model. Questions are aligned to level 1 (recall), level 2 (skill/concept), and level 3 (strategic thinking). As grade levels advance, the percentages of each of these types of questions change.

Alternate Assessment

The MCAs do not appropriately measure the knowledge and skills of a small number of students with significant cognitive disabilities related to grade-level content standards. Therefore, to ensure that all students in public schools are fully included in state accountability systems and have access to challenging instruction linked to state content standards, an additional assessment is administered to qualifying students.

The Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) is the alternate assessment for the MCA-IIIs and is administered to students with the most significant cognitive delays meeting set criteria.

MCA-III Reading

The test consists of both fiction and nonfiction passages with multiple choice question types, as well as technology enhanced items.

Literature

• Key ideas and details
• Craft and structure

Informational text

• Key ideas and details
• Craft and structure
• Integration of knowledge and ideas

Results are available end of July. Results are mailed home to parents/guardians end of summer/early fall. 

Parent Resources:
Test Prep for Parents and Teachers
Parent Guide to Statewide Testing
Why State Testing Results Matter
Parent Fact Sheet from Minnesota Department of Education
Frequently asked questions and Why test results matter

For additional information about the MCA you may go the Minnesota Department of Education website.

Test Name: Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) – Math and Science

State tests that help districts measure student progress toward proficiency or mastery of Minnesota's Academic Standards and meet the state and federal accountability requirements for mathematics and science.

This test is untimed, however usually takes about 120-180 minutes per subject and is administered in the spring.

Assessment details: The primary purpose of the MCA-IIIs is to determine student proficiency on grade-level concepts, however, the tests for each grade level, as well as the strands within a particular grade level, are not equal in difficulty. These tests provide the district with beneficial information regarding students' strengths and weaknesses in order to make important decisions about curriculum and instruction. This better enables the district to monitor student achievement and to prepare students for graduation and success beyond high school.

Questions range in difficulty according to cognitive levels aligned to Webb's Depth of Knowledge model. Questions are aligned to level 1 (recall), level 2 (skill/concept), and level 3 (strategic thinking). As grade levels advance, the percentages of each of these types of questions change.

Alternate Assessment

The MCAs do not appropriately measure the knowledge and skills of a small number of students with significant cognitive disabilities related to grade-level content standards. Therefore, to ensure that all students in public schools are fully included in state accountability systems and have access to challenging instruction linked to state content standards, an additional assessment is administered to qualifying students.

The Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) is the alternate assessment for the MCA-IIIs and is administered to students with the most significant cognitive delays meeting set criteria.

MCA-III Math

Students are asked to respond to a variety of question types, including multiple types of technology-enhanced items:

• Algebra
• Data analysis and probability
• Geometry & measurement

MCA-III Science (taken after completion of biology)

The test consists of multiple choice questions and technology-enhanced items:

• Nature of science and engineering
• Life science

Results are available end of July. Results are mailed home to parents/guardians end of summer/early fall. 

Parent Resources:
Test Prep for Parents and Teachers
Parent Guide to Statewide Testing
Why State Testing Results Matter
Parent Fact Sheet from Minnesota Department of Education
Frequently asked questions and Why test results matter

For additional information about the MCA you may go the Minnesota Department of Education website.

Test Name: ACT Plus Writing

Assesses student academic readiness for college, and is used by many colleges as part of the entrance criteria for admissions decisions.

This test is approximately 215 minutes and administered in the Spring.

Assessment details: Anoka-Hennepin students in grade 11 are provided a free opportunity to take the ACT plus Writing during the school day in the spring of the year along with opportunities throughout the year at a national testing site on a Saturday. The ACT assesses student academic readiness for college, and is used by many colleges as part of the entrance criteria for admissions decisions. Students in grades 11 are given the experience of taking a practice ACT in the fall of the year, as well.

The test is timed and covers five core subject areas: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and Writing. Each ACT subject-area test has a benchmark which represents the level of achievement needed for students to have a 50% chance of obtaining a B or higher or about a 75% chance of obtaining a C or higher in the corresponding first-year college credit courses. These college courses and ACT benchmarks (listed in parentheses) include English composition (English 18), college algebra (Math 22), introductory social science course (Reading 22), and biology (Science 23).

The ACT is a national exam used as one of the indicators of career- and college-readiness. Students are not required to meet a specific benchmark for graduation.

Information on each subject area:

English: 75 questions, 45 minutes allowed; Measures standard written English and rhetorical skills.

Mathematics: 60 questions, 60 minutes allowed; Measures mathematical skills students have typically acquired in courses taken up to the beginning of grade 12.

Reading: 40 questions, 35 minutes allowed; Measures reading comprehension.

Science: 40 questions, 35 minutes allowed; Measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences.

Writing: 1 question, 30 minutes allowed; Measures writing skills emphasized in high school English classes and in entry-level college composition courses.

Results of the ACT are available immediately online, and the score report is mailed home to parents/guardians 3-8 weeks after testing.

For more information and score reports go to the ACT website http://www.act.org/

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