Assessments

Students participate in several required assessments throughout the school year. These assessments are designed to measure student learning and assist our teachers in best supporting students’ individual needs.

fastbridge

A FastBridge test is a system of short, evidence-based, computer-adaptive and oral reading assessments used by schools to screen and monitor students' skills in reading, math, and social-emotional behavior (SEB). These brief tests are designed to efficiently identify students at risk for academic or behavioral difficulties, predict future outcomes on state tests, and provide data for teachers to implement targeted interventions within a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework. 

STATEWIDE MCA/MTAS

All students are required to take the MCA, a statewide assessment, once a year. All schools offer the MTAS to students in lieu of the MCA if the need is identified. The purpose of the MCA and MTAS is to measure achievement on the Minnesota Academic Standards and measure academic progress of students over time. View the MCA Parent Factsheet for more. The MCAs and MTAS are both broken into three components: Math, Science, and Reading. MCA and MTAS results will be released by the end of August for the previous school year.

ACT COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAM

Juniors and Seniors have the option to take the ACT in the Spring during school hours at SPCS. We encourage all students to take the ACT to gain information about their college and career readiness.

Accuplacer

All graduating seniors will take the Accuplacer assessment at Saint Paul College. Review for this assessment will be done in both Math and English classes and students can access practice materials on their own through College Board.

ACCESS/ALTERNATE ACCESS TESTING

English learners are required to take the ACCESS, a statewide assessment. The purpose of the ACCESS is to annually assess English language proficiency of all English learners. The ACCESS is broken into four components; each section will take the following amount of time to complete excluding test administration time:

• Listening: up to 40 minutes to complete

• Reading: up to 35 minutes to complete

• Speaking: up to 30 minutes to complete

• Writing Tier A: up to 50 minutes to complete; or Writing Tier B/C: up to 65 minutes to complete

Questions Or comments

Please direct any contact regarding assessments to your school’s District Assessment Coordinator.