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State and Local-Use Testing Information
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Please contact our Assessment Coordinator Ms. Falgier if you have questions about these tests. Click here for our Testing Security Document (required by the MN Dept. of Ed.). This document was updated on September 1, 2023.
* required by the Minnesota Department of Education ** required by East Range Academy and its authorizer Osprey Wilds ^ students with SPED accommodations may be allowed to test on a different date with extended time edited 9/01/2023 by EF Tests Organized By Grade Level
GRADE 9 STUDENTS September 6-7 Fall STAR testing (required) December 4-7 Winter STAR testing (required) April 29 - May 2 Spring STAR testing (required) There are currently no MCA state assessments for 9th grade students. GRADE 10 STUDENTS September 6-7 Fall STAR testing (required) December 4-7 Winter STAR testing (required) January 31 ASVAB (required) Wed. April 17 MCA Reading (required) Wed. April 24 MCA Science (only required for students in Biology/Life-Science) April 29 - May 2 Spring STAR testing (required) GRADE 11 STUDENTS September 6-7 Fall STAR testing (required) December 4-7 Winter STAR testing (required) January 31 ASVAB (optional for 11th graders) Wed. March 27 ACT online (required) Late March ACT on paper for students with approved Special Education accommodations Wed. April 17 MCA Math (required) Wed. April 24 MCA Science (only required for students in Biology/Life-Science) April 29 - May 2 Spring STAR testing (required) GRADE 12 STUDENTS September 6-7 Fall STAR testing (required) December 4-7 Winter STAR testing (required) January 31 ASVAB (optional for seniors) Wed. April 24 MCA Science (only required for students in Biology/Life-Science) April 29 - May 2 Spring STAR testing (required) General Information MCA-III READING AND MATH TESTING What MCA tests do students take? The 10th graders take the MCA-III Reading, and the 11th graders take the MCA-III Mathematics. Certain students who qualify for Special Education services may be assigned a different test, such as the MTAS (see the section below for details specific to the MTAS). Freshmen and Seniors do not take MCA math or reading tests. When are the tests? The calendars above show when each test is scheduled to be administered. Our website and Facebook will also announce these dates. Students should absolutely not miss school on testing days. If an absence is 100% unavoidable, make-up testing will be held as student and staff schedules permit. It is ALWAYS better to test on the scheduled testing days due to the silent test environment. Where do they test? Students are assigned specific classrooms at ERATS where they will test. These will be posted at the front desk on the morning of each test, or a staff member will direct the student to the appropriate room. Why do we take these tests? The Minnesota Department of Education requires public schools to administer the MCA and MTAS tests. The tests are based on Minnesota's academic standards and assess what students should have learned and mastered over their elementary, middle school, and high school years. These tests are required by the Dept. of Education, but they have no bearing on a student's graduation requirements. How can my student benefit from taking the MCA tests? Minnesota colleges and universities look at student MCA scores to determine if that student requires non-credit remedial coursework during their first year. If a student scores high enough on the MCA tests, they are exempted from these remedial courses. Since these courses cost money, it literally pays to do well on the MCA if the student has college plans. How will students test? The MCA-III tests are all taken on the computer; there is no paper-pencil format available. Calculators are always allowed on the MCA math test, but not on the STAR math test without specific Special Education IEP accommodations. There are no time limits on MCA tests. Students are not allowed to listen to music or access a phone during any test. When are my student's results available? Official results forms will be given to families no later than Fall Conferences. Can I opt-out my student from MCA testing? We strongly encourage every student to participate in MCA testing. Our authorizer, Osprey Wilds, also encourages test participation, and they study both our test participation and results. In the event you wish to opt-out of MCA state testing, the required form can be printed here. The form must be received BEFORE test day; see the testing calendar for our MCA dates. What if I have more questions about MCA testing? Please visit Minnesota's Department of Education testing website for more information about testing requirements. MTAS Testing
A small percentage students who qualify for Special Education services also qualify to take the MTAS in place of the MCAs. More information can be found here. For the MTAS, the student tests one-on-one with a Special Education teacher. Most MTAS tests are administered the same day as the MCA-III tests. There are no time limits on MTAS tests. Official results forms will be given to families no later than Fall Conferences.MCA-III SCIENCE TESTING
Any student who completes Biology in the 2020-2021 school year must take the MCA Science test. This is an online test. This test is required by the Dept. of Ed. but has no bearing on a student's graduation requirements. Official results forms will be given to families no later than Fall Conferences.
STAR Testing
ERATS' sponsor, Osprey Wilds, requires a local test to measure each student's growth during the school year. The STAR tests in Reading and Math are much shorter than the MCAs and show student progress over the school year, which is something MCAs cannot do at the high school level. These tests are given at the start, middle, and end of the school year. Teachers will discuss results with students during Advisement class. Parents/guardians who are interested in receiving printouts of their students' STAR test results should talk with their student's teacher team.
ACT Testing
All 11th graders will take the ACT online. There is no fee to take the test at ERATS. Some Special Education students may qualify for extended time and/or paper accommodations; the SPED team will make arrangements as needed.
The ACT is used by many colleges to assess college readiness, and some require a minimum score to enroll. The ACT also contains an interest inventory which is useful for all students regardless of the test score earned. ACT information and resources are available at ACT.org. Results are mailed to the student by ACT, and the school also receives a copy for the student's permanent file. ASVAB Testing
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a free test administered by military representatives. Students do NOT have to be planning on military service in order to participate. Scores are NOT released to the military unless the student requests so. The test results provide a detailed skills inventory that can assist students with post-secondary planning.The ASVAB asks questions that measure these topics: Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge, General Science, Mechanical Comprehension, Electronics Information, Assembling Objects, and Auto & Shop Information. A score interpretation session is held at the school after the test is given. Questions about the testing schedule? If you would like more information, please contact District Assessment Coordinator Emily Falgier. edited 9/01/2023 by EF |
| Contact: Emily Falgier |