STUDENT ASSESSMENT: information for parents in English/en Español

Testing is used in schools to measure student achievement.
  • State tests are given to students in a district once a year, based on their grade level and subject area.
  • Classroom tests are given by individual teachers on a more regular basis and may include quizzes, mid-terms, chapter tests, and final exams, among others.
  • In addition, the Goodhue County Education District uses AIMSWeb and STAR testing, in both math and reading, to gather additional data about student learning. 
Standards-Based Accountability Assessments
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) and alternate assessment Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) are the state tests that help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota’s academic standards and also meet the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Students take one test in each subject. Most students take the MCA, but students who receive special education services and meet eligibility requirements may take the alternate assessment MTAS instead.

The list below indicates tests by subject area, along with the grade levels they are given in. 
  • Reading: MCA or MTAS in grades 3-8, and 10
  • Mathematics: MCA or MTAS in grades 3-8, and 11
  • Science: MCA or MTAS  in grades 5, 8, and high school
Statewide Student Assessment
  • Calendar for District Assessments: Based on legislation enacted in 2015, graduation assessment requirements have changed. Please refer to the Assessment Calendar posted to the right for more detailed information.
  • Calendar for State Assessments: from the Minnesota Department of Education
  • District Testing Plan and Security Procedures: approved by the School Board
  • English Language Proficiency Assessments: The ACCESS for English Learners (ELs) and Alternate ACCESS for ELs are the assessments developed by the WIDA consortium and administered to English learners in order to measure progress toward meeting Minnesota’s standards for English language development, developed by the WIDA consortium. Most English learners will take the ACCESS for ELs, but English learners who received special education services and meet the participation guidelines may take the Alternate ACCESS for ELs.
  • ACCESS Parent Fact Sheet
  • Graduation and Testing Requirements
  • Pearson Access: Additional resources, including Item Samplers and Pearson’s Perspective, are available from PearsonAccess. Item Samplers are provided to help students and teachers become familiar with the format and type of content included in the state tests. On Pearson's site, click on "Minnesota" to access the resources.
  • Security: state assurance of test security and non-disclosure form
  • Security: GCED test security procedures
Just for Parents: Minnesota Department of Education information on all aspects of helping your student succeed in school.

In English
  • MCA: Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment fact sheet for parents
  • MTAS: Minnesota Test of Academic Skills fact sheet for parents
  • Test Preparation: Suggestions for parents to help students with test preparation
En Español
  • las MCA: Preguntas y respuestas sobre las MCA en matemáticas, lectura y ciencias
  • el MTAS: ntas y respuestas sobre el MTAS en matemáticas, lectura y ciencias
  • Preparación del examen: Sugerencias para la preparación del examen para padres y maestros