Testing Calendar
Lower
Quarter 1 – Ends October 31
- August 26 – September 20, 2024 - DIBELS
- October 14 – October 25, 2024 - Benchmarks & STEP
- October 28 – October 31, 2024 - Reteach/Review
Quarter 2 – Ends January 16
- December 16 – January 10, 2025 - Benchmarks & STEP
- January 6 – January 16, 2025 - DIBELS
- January 13 – January 16, 2025 - Reteach/Review
Quarter 3 – Ends March 20
- February 23– February 28, 2025 - ACCESS (EL)
- March 3 – March 14, 2025 - Benchmarks & STEP
- March 17 – March 20, 2025 - Reteach/Review
Quarter 4 – Ends June 3
- April 9, 2025 (grade 4) - MCA Practice/Simulation
- April 10, 2025 (grade 3) - MCA Practice/Simulation
- April 22, 2025 (grades 3 & 4) - MCA Reading
- April 23, 2025 (grades 3 & 4) - MCA Math
- April 24, 2025 (grades 3-12) - MCA Make-Up Day
- April 28 – May 30, 2025 - DIBELS
- May 5 – May 23, 2025 - Benchmarks & STEOP
- May 27 – June 2, 2025 - Reteach/Review
State Required Testing: The ELL and MCA tests are Minnesota state required tests. Local Testing: The PSAT, ACT, and AP tests are not required tests but made available to students who wish to take them at the school’s location.
Formative Assessments
Include on-going assessments, anecdotal records, quizzes, and diagnostic tests,
reviews, and observations in a classroom. Teachers use formative assessment to improve instructional
methods and student feedback throughout the teaching and learning process. The results of formative
assessments are used to modify and validate instruction.
Formative “Benchmark” Assessments
Are used intermittently (weekly, bi-weekly, or end of quarter) to
determine mastery of MN standards. These may include, but are not limited to:
- Imagine It! Reading benchmarks, grades K-4
- Fluency, grades 1-4
- RIGGS orthography, phonics, writing
- Voyages Grammar, grades K-4
- Saxon Math, grades K-4
- DIBELS, grades K-4
- STEP (Strategic Teaching and Evaluation of Progress), grades K-4
Summative Assessments
Summative evaluations are used to determine if students have mastered specific competencies, identify instructional areas that need additional attention, and evaluate the effectiveness of instructional programs at the end of an academic year or at a pre-determined time. Summative assessments include statewide and national tests. The ACCESS and Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) are administered once per year.
- ACCESS assessments for EL students, grades K-4
- Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA), grades 3-4
Middle
February 2025
- February 23– February 28, 2025 - ACCESS (EL)
Access for ELL is the MN state required assessment for English Language Learner
April 2025
- April 14th - MS MCA Reading (5-8)
- April 16th - MS MCA (5-8) Math
- April 17th - MS MCA (5&8) Science
- April 22nd - 24th - MCA Make-ups
MCA (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment) is the MN state required assessment to meet state and federal legislative requirements.
State Required Testing: The ELL and MCA tests are Minnesota state required tests. Local Testing: The PSAT, ACT, and AP tests are not required tests but made available to students who wish to take them at the school’s location.
Upper
October 2024
- PSAT (Oct 12)
Standardized/Pre-SAT and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Exam
February 2025
- February 23– February 28, 2025 - ACCESS (EL)
Access for ELL is the MN state required assessment for English Language Learner
April 2025
- April 15th - US MCA Science (10th) Math (11) Reading (10)
- April 22nd - 24th MCA Make-ups
MCA (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment) is the MN state required assessment to meet state and federal legislative requirements.
- ACT (date tbd)
May 2025
- AP (Advanced Placement) Testing (May 2-13)
College level examinations based on college level Advanced Placement classes. Colleges/Universities may grant credit and placement based on student scores.
