When are students tested? 1
3rd grade
5th grade
8th grade
Projected for 1999-2000: High school level
What subjects are tested? 1
Reading
Writing
Mathematics
What types of questions are used? 1
Multiple choice
Short written response
Problem-solving
How are test results used? 1
High school graduation (exit requirement)
School and district summary information for statewide testing
What tests are used? 1
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (grades 3, 5)
Basic Standards Tests (screen in grade 8; must pass for diploma by
grade 12)
Are students with disabilities exempt?
2, 3
Exemptions given as last resort to students who are cognitively incapable
of taking a statewide test, as determined by IEP (or 504) team.
Alternate assessments must be provided for exempt students (beginning
in 1999).
What accommodations are available so
that students with disabilities can participate? 2
List of accommodations approved by state Department of Education for
specific subject areas.
Other accommodations available with state approval.
Modifications given for graduation standards (pass individual level
rather than state level).
How are scores of students with disabilities
reported? 2
School, district, and statewide reports both combine ("aggregate")
and separate ("disaggregate") scores of students with and without disabilities.
Footnotes:
1 Source: PEER Project Survey to expand and update information from Annual Survey of State Student Assessment Programs: Data on 1995-96 Statewide Student Assessment Programs. (Fall 1996). Council of Chief State School Officers.
2 Source: PEER Project review of state policy documents. Documents provided by the National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO). Information confirmed and updated by the PEER Project through direct communication with state officials.
3 NOTE: The IDEA Amendments of 1997 require that all students be included in statewide assessments.
Minnesota Department of Children, Families,
and Learning Division of Special Education
Capitol Square
550 Cedar Street
St. Paul, MN 55101-2233
612-296-1793
612-297-7368 Fax
children.state.mn.us/speced/speced.htm
Contact: Wayne Erickson, Director
werickson@Inet.educ.state.mn.us
Michael Tillmann, State Assessment Director
Minnesota Parent Center on Disability
PACER Center, Inc.
4826 Chicago Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55417-1098
612-827-2966 Voice
612-827-7770 TTY
1-800-537-2237 in MN
612-827-3065 Fax
pacer@pacer.org
www.pacer.org
Contact: Paula Goldberg/Marge Goldberg