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2025-2026 Testing Schedule

September 15 -19, 2025

  • NWEA

January 26, 2026

  • WIDA ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS begins

March 2, 2026

  • MCA Reading grades 3-8 and 10 and Mathematics grades 3-8 and 11 begins
  • MCA Science grades 5, 8, and high school begins
  • MTAS Reading, Mathematics, and Science begins

March 20, 2026

  • WIDA ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS ends

April 11

  • ACT Test for Juniors

May 1

  • MCA Reading grades 3-8 and 10 and Mathematics grades 3-8 and 11 ends
  • MTAS Reading, Mathematics, and Science ends

May 8

  • MCA Science grades 5, 8, and high school ends

Assessment Purpose Rationale and Source:

MCA and MTAS/Alt MCA: To measure learning of the Minnesota Academic Standards  - Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.302 and ESSA, 20 USC 6301 Section 1111(b)(2)(B)(v)

College Entrance Exams (ACT and/or SAT): To provide Minnesota students information related to career and college readiness - Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.30

NWEA: To measure student achievement and growth in K-12 math, reading, language usage, and science. Results provide teachers with accurate, actionable evidence to help inform instructional strategies. 

Timeline for disseminating results:

Student results released to district mid-September to late September upon receipt of results from the Minnesota Department of Education.

While the Minnesota Department of Education strives to ensure this testing schedule remains unaltered, it is subject to change based on assessment decisions made by the Minnesota Legislature or U.S. Congress.