MCA-II (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments)
GRAD (Graduation-Required Assessments for Diploma)
NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association)

What's the difference between the MCA-II and the NWEA tests?

 

	MCA-II	NWEA
How often is it given?	Once per year (spring)	Up to four times per year (fall, winter, spring and summer)
When are results available?	Summer/fall	Within 72 hours
Who takes it?	Grades 3-8, 10 & 11	Grades 2-9 (selected 10-12)
How is it administered?	Standard paper and pencil test	Computerized
What does it measure?	Student, school and District performance on academic standards	Individual student growth and academic performance
How is it used?	System accountability: Measures how students are meeting the Minnesota Academic Standards and determines if individual schools and the entire district is making adequate yearly progress (AYP) as defined by the No Child Left Behind Act.	Placement in District programs; Measuring individual student growth; Uncovering individual student's academic strengths and weaknesses; Assists teachers in modifying instruction to meet the needs of students.

District assessments:
EXPLORE and PLAN tests (Interest/Career exploration)

Other Assessments:
ACT Mounds View Public Schools is the first and only school district in the state to offer a free on-site administration of the ACT to all high school juniors. Funding for the free administration of the test was provided by a generous grant  from the Mounds View Schools Education Foundation.
SAT
PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
AP (Advanced Placement)

Our Testing Program
Teachers and deans at schools throughout the District, use assessments to monitor student progress to get a long-term perspective of gains and growth. Assessment results are tracked for every student and viewed by teachers who use the results to tailor their instructional approaches and to help create challenging, but attainable goals for the students. Parents can also track assessment results using the District's parent portal, SchoolView. More information about testing, personalized learning, the District's parent portal, and more is available on the District's YouTube channel.