Assessments and Grading

ACCESS Testing

All students identified as English Learners (EL) will be taking the ACCESS or Alternate ACCESS assessment between January and March. 

This assessment is a federal requirement to assess English proficiency for students learning English. There are four domains tested - Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. 

If you have questions, please contact the principal at your child’s school for specific dates and more information.

About ACCESS Testing

In order to follow federal and state mandates, all EL-identified students are given an English proficiency examination annually, even if they are not currently receiving English learner services. The test scores are used to make sure students are making progress in English through reading, writing, listening and speaking. The test is called the Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State (ACCESS). This test helps teachers and schools understand how well students are learning English. 

The ACCESS  test includes questions about reading, writing and listening. The test is taken in a group setting with other students and includes a speaking assessment between each student and a teacher. The test will not be timed.

Your child will be tested during the regular school day either on a computer (online) or on paper as noted below. Our testing schedule:

Grades	Test
Kindergarten	Assessment: 60-90 minutes
Grades 1-12 (Online)	Listening: 65 minutes
Grades 1-12 (Online)	Reading: up to 90 minutes
Grades 1-12 (Online)	Speaking: 40-60 minutes
Grades 1-5 (Paper)	Writing: 65-90 minutes
Grades 6-12 (Online)	Writing: 65-90 minutes
Alternate ACESS test (for select students with an IEP)	Listening: 30 minutes Reading: 30 minutes Speaking: 30 minutes Writing: 30 minutes

 

ACT Testing

SoWashCo Schools administers the American College Test (the ACT) each year to students in grade 11. Minnesota State Statute 120B.30 requires SoWashCo Schools to provide an opportunity for high school students to take a college entrance exam during the school day.  

ABOUT THE ACT

Why take the ACT? Here’s what you need to know: 

• The ACT is accepted by all US colleges and universities

• The ACT can help students get better scholarships

• The ACT provides college and career resources for each examinee

While some colleges are making the admissions process “test optional” at this time, here are some things to consider.  Taking the ACT enables you to: 

• Take the right classes

• Get more scholarships

• Qualify for specific programs

• Secure your admission. 

Read more here about why the ACT is right for you even if not every college is requiring a college entrance exam at this time.  Historically a college entrance exam, like the ACT, are required for admission into most colleges and are a large part of the admissions process. 

 

When students take the ACT test, high school educators and counselors receive valuable information for guidance and curriculum development. K-12 professionals use ACT reports to:

• Guide students toward college and career readiness

• Assist students with college and career planning

• Evaluate the effectiveness of instruction

• Plan changes and improvements in curriculum

 

Each time you take the ACT, you get a composite score that is an average of the results on the four subjects of the test: Math, Science, English and Reading. Composite scores range from 1-36. For each subject you’ll see your readiness for first year college courses in the corresponding subjects.   Sample score report.

 

The ACT Resources for Examinees

• Information for Examinees on act.org

• MyACT Account Setup Instructions

• Preparing for the ACT Test

• Using Your ACT Results

• Using Your ACT Results (Spanish)

 

ACT Information

Attendance and Materials

The district ACT testing date is in April each year. All students must attend school on the testing date to take the ACT. Registration is not required for 11th graders. Registration is required for 12th graders who did not participate in the district ACT last year. Please reach out to the school principal. 

• There will not be a make-up opportunity. 
• Students arriving late after 8:50am to their testing location will not be admitted due to ACT testing rules.
• Students should come with their ACT approved calculator, a writing utensil, photo ID, and their school-issued chromebook charged and ready.

 

Schedule, meals and transportation

• School start times will remain the same. 
• A snack will be provided at break time and students may also bring a snack of their own.
• Lunch will be available after testing is complete. 
• Students will be dismissed and have the option to leave school at the conclusion of testing; students who choose to remain in the building will be directed to a supervised area. Bus transportation via regular routes will be available at the regular high school dismissal times.

 

Test results  

Students are encouraged to sign up for a free MyACT account to access scores early. Students with an account can view their scores online before score reports are mailed out. At the latest, accounts must be created two days after testing. 

 

Contact your school’s principal for more specific information about ACT testing.

All students in grade 2 will take the CogAT Assessment in their classrooms during the testing window.   

This assessment measures a student's reasoning and problem solving skills in three areas: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning.  The assessment is a part of a balanced assessment system used in South Washington County Schools.  Some important ways we use CogAT data are: 

• to help teachers develop the best learning plan for each child and support their unique learning needs, and

• as part of screening all students for additional Talent Development and Advanced Academic Services in conjunction with the Measures for Academic Progress (MAP) reading and math.

To learn more about the CogAT and how we use the results in SoWashCo, visit the Talent Development’s webpage.

SoWashCo Schools administers the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth assessment each year in grades 2-8 for both Reading and Math as a part of a balanced assessment system. 

 

Results of the MAP growth assessments are used to:

• Identify current skill levels and the rate of academic growth over time.

• Determine individual strengths and areas of growth to help with instructional planning.

• Identify students to receive Advanced Learner Services,

• Identify or exit students from reading and/or math interventions.

• Place students in the appropriate 6th and 8th grade math courses.

Learn more about the assessment in this Family Guide to MAP Growth (other languages).

SoWashCo Schools administers the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) each year. Students who receive special education services and meet eligibility criteria may take the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) test as an alternative. Most students will take the MCA online during the school day. 

About the MCA/MTAS

The MCA/MTAS assesses students’ knowledge of academic, grade-level standards in reading, mathematics, and science. The test results are a source of information for us to evaluate our services, supports, programs, and classroom instruction. The MCA/MTAS assessment results are used by many people for multiple purposes. Some examples include: 

• High school students can use MCA results to skip remedial coursework at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, as well as to enroll in the Post-secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program.

• Families use the data to track and understand their child/ren’s progress in learning grade-level standards. 

• Teachers use the data to inform their instruction and assess student learning.

• District and school staff members use the results to assess academic achievement trends over time and identify inequities across student groups. 

• The MN Department of Education uses MCA data as an academic indicator in the North Star accountability system. The system identifies schools and districts that need support to improve student outcomes, ensures that accountability indicators are publicly reported, and recognizes schools and districts that have implemented successful strategies.

• Policymakers use results to identify gaps in services and programming needs within communities.

Participation

Students in the following grades participate in the MCA/MTAS:

• Reading: Grades 3-8, 10

• Mathematics: Grades 3-8, and 11

• Science: Grades 5 and 8, and any high school student taking a life science or biology course

Participation in MCA/MTAS testing is important so that we have accurate data to assess how students are learning academic standards and determine which academic areas we need to improve instruction in. Testing dates for each school are posted in the District Testing Calendar before the school year begins. 

We recognize that the MCA/MTAS testing window overlaps with a number of religious observances and holy days. SoWashCo Schools is committed to honoring and being responsive to the needs of all families and students. Please contact your child’s school if you have concerns or questions about school testing dates and times, needed accommodations, and/or your student’s participation in MCA/MTAS testing.

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has the following resources to learn more about the assessments:

• Student Participation in statewide assessments

• MCA Parent Fact Sheets

  • English

  • Spanish

  • Hmong

  • Vietnamese

  • Chinese Mandarin

  • Somali

• MTAS Parent Fact Sheets

  • English

  • Spanish

  • Hmong

  • Vietnamese

  • Chinese Mandarin

  • Somali

• Additional translated Documents

The Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to students who demonstrate proficiency in English and another language. English proficiency is demonstrated by earning all required English Language Arts credits in high school, while proficiency in other languages are demonstrated by test results.

Currently, eligible languages for Minnesota's Seal of Biliteracy program include: Amharic, American Sign Language, Arabic, Bulgarian, Chinese (Mandarin), Czech, Dakota/Lakota, Dari, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Hmong, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Karen, Korean, Latin, Ojibwe, Oromo, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tamil, Thai, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.

SoWashCo Schools does not administer testing for every eligible language. Students who want to test in Bulgarian, Hungarian, Latin, and Thai should contact Mao Thao Jacobson (mjacobso1@sowashco.org, 651-425-6228) for more information about where and how to test. Testing for Tamil can be taken with the MN Tamil School (typically in May) or Twin Cities Tamil Padasalai.

Benefits of the Seal of Biliteracy

• Students are recognized for their bilingual/bicultural or multilingual/multicultural identity.

• Students can earn college credits at Minnesota State College and Universities (Minnesota State). Minnesota State does not include the University of Minnesota.

• The Seal provides credentials for job and internship opportunities.

• The Seal provides recognition on college entrance applications.

Testing Registration and Cost

Testing is open to students in grades 11 and 12. Registration is open during the month of January each school year. 

SoWashCo Schools will cover the cost of testing in one language per school year. If students would like to test in multiple languages in the same school year, students/families will need to pay for the cost of additional tests.

In making the decision to test, students and families should review ACTFL’s guidelines on what learners can do at each proficiency level and additional resources from the MN Seal of Biliteracy Program:

• ACTFL Platinum Seal (advanced low) Can-do statements
• ACTFL Gold Seal (intermediate high) & World Language Proficiency Certificate (intermediate low) Can-do statements
• MN Seal of Biliteracy: Test Proficiency Standards
• MN Seal of Biliteracy: Am I ready for the test?
• MN Seal of Biliteracy: Proficiency Level Descriptors

Available Tests, Award Levels and Qualifying Test Scores

SoWashCo Schools offers the following tests for the Seal of Biliteracy program:

• Avant STAMP 4S: Assesses reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in Arabic (Modern Standard), English, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin (simplified), Mandarin (traditional), Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, and Spanish.
   
• Avant STAMP for ASL: Assesses receptive and expressive skills in American Sign Language
   
• Avant STAMP WS: 
  • Assesses writing and speaking skills in Amharic, Czech, Hmong, Somali Maay Maay, Somali Maxaa, Tamil, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese 
  • Assesses reading, writing, and speaking skills for Swahili
  • Students taking the STAMP WS must also take the accompanying Extempore/MN Department of Education (MDE) language assessments
     
• Extempore/MDE language assessments
  • Assesses reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in Dakota/Lakota, Karen, Ojibwe, and Oromo
  • Assesses reading and listening skills in Amharic, Czech, Dari, Hmong, Pashto, Somali, Tamil, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese
  • Assesses listening skills in Swahili
     
• ACTFL SOBL: Assesses speaking and writing for Dari and Pashto

In addition to these assessments, students can earn an award based on qualifying scores on the Advanced Placement Language and Culture exams and International Baccalaureate Language B exams. A student may also test outside of SoWashCo Schools and submit their qualifying score reports to receive an award upon graduation. Students should submit their score report to their high school counselor.

There are three award levels: Platinum Seal, Gold Seal, and World Language Proficiency Certificate. The highest award level students receive in a language will be documented on students’ transcripts upon graduation. Students must use their high school transcript to request college credits from post-secondary institutions. College credits must be requested within three years of graduating high school.

Below is a Table of Award Levels and corresponding ACTFL Proficiency Level, Eligible College Credits, and Qualifying Test Scores

Resources

• Department of MN: MN Bilingual Seals Program website
   
• Minnesota Bilingual Seals website for students, families, and educators
   
• National Seal of Biliteracy website
   
• Avant assessments (STAMP 4S, STAMP WS, and STAMP for ASL)
  • STAMP 4S and STAMP WS Sample Tests: https://avantassessment.com/sample-tests 
  • Test Taker Guide: https://www.avantassessment.com/guides/test-taker 
  • Power Up Guide: https://avantassessment.com/stamp-power-up-guide 
  • STAMP for ASL: https://www.avantassessment.com/tests/stamp/asl 

District Contacts for More Information

• For questions about the Seal of Biliteracy, please contact Mark McIlmoyle, Director of Teaching and Learning - Secondary at mmcilmoy@sowashco.org or 651-425-6353. 
   
• For questions about testing, please contact Mao Thao Jacobson, Director of Program Evaluation, Research and Assessment at mjacobso1@sowashco.org or 651-425-6228.