Assessments

Student Participation

For Minnesota’s statewide assessments to reflect the full impact of district- and state-level implementation of the applicable standards, as well as district-level success at teaching the standards, it is important for all Minnesota students to take the statewide tests. The impact of this data spans the state, impacts each district, and demonstrates clear trends across time. The data on today’s third graders, for example, helps us understand those same students learning in fifth, ninth, and 12th grade. Also, today’s third graders help us understand every third grade class for years to come, and whether changes to curriculum, efforts toward equity, and emphasis on inclusion make a substantial difference to our students. In addition, English learners must take the ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS to exit English language instruction. Without these test scores, students will continue to receive English learner services.

Parent/guardian guide and refusal for student participation in statewide testing
(The parent/guardian refusal must be submitted to the school in writing before the first scheduled day of testing every school year.)

• Parent/Guardian Participation Guide and Refusal Information - English
• Additional testing resources and translated versions of the participation guide and refusal information are available on the MDE website