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 standard-
ized 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 conse-
quences 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 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 grades K-12 to students qualify-
ing for language acquisition services in winter. 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 aca-
demic 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, speak-
ing, 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.
2019-20 School Handbook
ahschools.us/policies
ACT
In spring, students in grade 11 are given the opportunity to take
the ACT during the school day, free of charge. 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/families.
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.
• Participate in any school-provided practice tests.
• 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/2NgcdT2
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