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Annual Assessments 

​Fall

  • Fountas & Pinnell Running Reading Records (K-5)  End of Sept through early Oct. 
    Approximate amount of testing time for students: 10-60 minutes

  • aReading-FASTBRIDGE (K-5) (Second-Fourth week of September)
    Approximate amount of testing time for students: 20-45 minutes

  • aMath (K-5) (Second-Fourth week of September)
    Approximate amount of testing time for students: 20-45 minutes

  • CBM for FAST for Reading  (Second-Fourth week of September)
    Approximate amount of testing time for students: 10-15 minute

  • Capti ReadBasix Assessment (4-5); A diagnostic reading assessment, based on the Science of Reading, to inform instruction & intervention. (Second-Fourth week of September)

Approximate testing time is 35 minutes

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Results from September assessments will be shared at the October conferences. FAST results that indicate a need for reading or math interventions will be shared with families by the end of the month.

​Winter

  • aReading-FASTBRIDGE (K-5) (December 1 and completed by January 15)
    Approximate amount of testing time for students: 20-45 minutes

  • aMath (K-5) (December 1 and completed by January 15)
    Approximate amount of testing time for students: 20-45 minutes

  • CBM for FAST for Reading  (December 1 and completed by January 15)

  • Approximate amount of testing time for students: 10-15 minute

  • Fountas & Pinnell Running Reading Records (K-5)  End of Jan through early Feb. Approximate amount of testing time for students: 10-60 minutes

 

Results from January assessments will be shared at the February conferences. FAST results that indicate a need for reading or math interventions will be shared with families by the end of the month.

​Spring

  • MCA and MTAS. These tests are given in the following subjects and grade levels:

    • Math Grades 3-5 (April 20th & 21st)
      Approximate amount of testing time for students is 60-180 minutes, although there is no time limit.

    • Reading Grades 3-5 (April 6th & 7th)
      Approximate amount of testing time for students is 60-180 minutes, although there is no time limit.

    • Science Grade 5 (April 27th & 28th): http://minnesota.pearsonaccessnext.com
      Approximate amount of testing time for students is 60-180 minutes, although there is no time limit.

    • Make-Up tests will happen the week of April 26-30th, although every attempt should be made to ensure your child is in school to test on the originally scheduled dates and times.

    • All tests will begin at 9:00 on the scheduled times listed above.​

    • Fountas & Pinnell Running Reading Records (K-5) (May)
      Approximate amount of testing time for students: 10-60 minutes

    • aReading-FASTBRIDGE (K-5) (End of April through end of May)
      Approximate amount of testing time for students: 20-45 minutes

    • aMath (K-5) (End of April through end of May)
      Approximate amount of testing time for students: 20-45 minutes

    • CBM for FAST for Reading  (End of April through end of May)
      Approximate amount of testing time for students: 10-15 minute

    • Capti ReadBasix Assessment (4-5); A diagnostic reading assessment, based on the Science of Reading, to inform instruction & intervention.  (End of April through end of May)

    • Approximate testing time is 35 minutes

 

Results from Fountas and Pinnell, FAST & Capti will be shared in the final report card. All MCA results are hand delivered to families at Back to School Night in August; students not returning to Nerstrand will have their results mailed via US Postal Service.  

What are the MCAs?

The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) and alternate assessment, Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS), are the statewide tests that help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota's academic standards and meet the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Most students take the MCA, but students who receive special education services and meet eligibility criteria may take the MTAS.

 

MCA Testing​

 

What are the aReading and aMath Assessments?

aReading (Adaptive Reading) is a computer-administered adaptive measure of broad reading that is individualized for each student, but may be individually or group administered in about 15-45 minutes. Items tap a variety of skills including concepts of print, phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension, and vocabulary.

aMath (Adaptive Math) is a fully automated computer adaptive measure of broad math skills. It is individualized for each student, but may be group administered. Items tap a variety of skills including counting and cardinality, operations and algebraic thinking, number and operations in base ten, numbers and operations, measurement and data, and geometry. These assessments adapt and individualize to the skills of each student. Students typically complete the assessments in 20-30 minutes, reducing testing time by up to 50-95% compared to traditional tests. Our extensive research has enabled the aMath test of 30 items to replace a traditional 100-item test, with high accuracy and actionable results.

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What is the Capti ReadBasix Assessment?

ReadBasix is the only assessment designed specifically for middle and high school students that identifies those reading below the decoding threshold - a critical barrier to comprehension.  It is a computer based test that helps identify if a child has characteristics of dyslexia.  The READ Act requires all schools screen, identify and intervene, which this assessment helps do.  

Contact Us:

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205 South Second St.

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507-333-6850

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​dana@nerstrand.charter.k12.mn.us

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Nerstrand Elementary admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies,  athletic, and other school-administered programs.

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