What my child will learn this year
For details on what your child will learn this year at the elementary level please visit ahschools . us / elementarycourses .
Middle and high school course information can be found either in the registration guides or by visiting : ahschools . us / middleschoolcourses or ahschools . us / highschoolcourses .
For ideas on how to support your child ’ s learning at home please visit ahschools . us .
State and district test information
Tests and assessments are one part of the educational program provided by Anoka-Hennepin Schools . Students take a variety of tests , from those given by individual teachers , to district and state standardized tests . Each test has a specific purpose designed to give the teacher , student and parent / guardian information about the academic performance and progress of the student . Explained briefly below are a few of the tests given to all Anoka-Hennepin students .
Anoka-Hennepin educators and students are expected to behave in a manner that supports academic integrity . Staff are expected to follow policies and procedures to maintain test security during classroom testing throughout the year including during standardized testing for which training is provided annually .
The student code of conduct for all standardized testing promote ethical test taking procedures expected throughout the year . Students are reminded that they should do their own best work to show what they know and can do . They should not accept help finding answers to test questions , give answers to other students , or tell others what is on the test . There may be consequences if students do not follow directions or if they behave dishonestly or are involved in cheating .
Students take standardized tests throughout the school year . The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments ( MCA ) are given to all students in grades 3-8 , 10 and 11 in the spring . The MAP ® Growth is given to all students in grades 2-8 , as well as some high school students . The MAP test could be given in fall , winter and / or spring . The ACT is offered every spring for students in grade 11 . The Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to- State for English Language Learners ( ACCESS for ELLs ) is a test that is given in winter to grade K-12 students qualifying for language acquisition services . For students with the most significant cognitive disabilities , alternate assessment ( s ) are available . Eligibility is based on specific criteria and IEP team determination .
MCA and alternate assessment
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment ( MCA ) in reading , mathematics and science help districts and schools measure their student ’ s progress toward proficiency on the state ’ s academic standards . Students take these in the spring and results are mailed
home in September . The reading test is given in grades 3-8 and 10 and the mathematics test in grades 3-8 and 11 . Science MCAs are given in grades 5 and 8 and after high school biology .
ACCESS for ELLs and alternate assessment
The ACCESS for ELLs is given each year to English learners to monitor their progress in acquiring social and academic English . The test assesses the four language domains of listening , speaking , reading and writing . Test items are derived from five content areas of the English Language Development standards : social and instructional language , language arts , mathematics , science and social studies . Test results are mailed to families in the fall .
ACT
In the Spring of 2023 , all Grade 11 students will have an option to take the ACT free of charge during the school day . This is a great opportunity for students to take this assessment in a familiar environment . The scores from this test can be submitted to colleges of the student ’ s choice . The ACT is one indicator of a student ’ s readiness for college and is required for admission into most Minnesota colleges and universities , as well as many colleges nationwide .
MAP ® Growth
Students take MAP ® Growth tests in math and reading . Testing is conducted for all students in grades 2-8 and some high school students in the fall , and for select students in winter and spring . A score is available a few days after each test is completed , with detailed information provided to parents / guardians once all tests for the testing season are finished . MAP ® Growth estimates the learning level of the student in those subjects , and it tracks the student ’ s progress and growth over time .
The purpose of MAP ® Growth is to give teachers information about their students to help plan instruction . MAP ® Growth is a useful tool to identify those areas where a student excels and areas where additional help may be needed . An additional score provided through the MAP ® Growth reading test is the Lexile score included on a student ’ s MAP ® Growth report . Parents and teachers can use this score to find books that are appropriate for a child ’ s reading level . For more information visit lexile . com / parents-students .
Testing tips Here are some general tips on preparing for tests :
• Get a good night ’ s sleep and a nutritious breakfast before taking each test .
• Become familiar with the directions and the test format by taking any practice tests that are available including those provided at school .
• Provide your child with a clean , quiet study area .
• Encourage your child to read daily . Discuss with your child what he or she is reading . Ask questions like : ‘ What was the main point of the book or article ? What were some important details that supported the main point ?
• Encourage your child to use math every day . Some common math activities might include : balance a checkbook , figure the miles per gallon of your car , determine the best buy among grocery items , calculate the amount saved when an article in a store is discounted , double a recipe , compute a baseball batting average or football passing rate .
Minnesota Department of Education parent / guardian guide and refusal for student participation in statewide testing
The Minnesota Department of Education has published a document that provides information to help parents / guardians make informed decisions that benefit their children , schools and communities . The document can be found at : https :// bit . ly / 3tnKXF4
2022-23 School Handbook ahschools . us / policies 17