MDE Accountability Systems 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under Minnesota's accountability framework, what is the primary purpose of the Annual Measurable Objectives (AMOs)?
- To set targets for closing achievement gaps for student subgroups over time (Correct answer)
- To determine teacher contract renewal decisions
- To rank districts by total enrollment size
- To calculate per-pupil spending allocations
Correct answer: To set targets for closing achievement gaps for student subgroups over time
AMOs establish incremental yearly targets designed to help all student subgroups reach proficiency and close achievement gaps.
Question 2: Which Minnesota accountability designation indicates that a school has received federal Priority or Focus status and is showing improvement?
- Celebration school
- Reward school
- Continuous Improvement school (Correct answer)
- Support school
Correct answer: Continuous Improvement school
Schools that previously held Priority or Focus status but demonstrate improvement may be reclassified as Continuous Improvement schools.
Question 3: In Minnesota's Multiple Measurement Rating (MMR) system, what does the 'Achievement' component primarily measure?
- Current proficiency levels on state assessments in reading and math (Correct answer)
- Attendance rate across all grade levels
- Number of advanced courses offered
- Graduation rates for EL students only
Correct answer: Current proficiency levels on state assessments in reading and math
The Achievement component reflects the percentage of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and mathematics assessments.
Question 4: How does Minnesota's accountability system address schools serving English Learners (ELs) who are progressing through language acquisition?
- EL progress on language proficiency assessments is included as a separate accountability indicator (Correct answer)
- EL students are fully excluded from all accountability calculations
- EL students only count toward accountability after three years of enrollment
- EL progress replaces the graduation rate metric for high schools
Correct answer: EL progress on language proficiency assessments is included as a separate accountability indicator
Minnesota includes English Learner proficiency progress as a distinct indicator within its accountability framework to recognize language development growth.
Question 5: What consequence does a Minnesota school face after being identified as a Priority school for two consecutive identification cycles?
- The school must implement a state-approved turnaround or restart model (Correct answer)
- The school is automatically closed and students are redistricted
- The principal receives a mandatory pay reduction
- The district loses all Title I funding immediately
Correct answer: The school must implement a state-approved turnaround or restart model
Persistent Priority school status triggers requirements for more intensive interventions such as turnaround or restart models under state and federal guidelines.
Question 6: Which assessment is used by Minnesota to measure grade 3–8 reading and mathematics proficiency for accountability purposes?
- MCA (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments) (Correct answer)
- NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress)
- ACT Aspire
- PSAT 8/9
Correct answer: MCA (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments)
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) are the primary state assessments used to measure student proficiency in reading and mathematics for accountability.
Question 7: Under federal ESSA requirements adopted by Minnesota, how frequently must the state identify schools for comprehensive support and improvement?
- At least once every three years (Correct answer)
- Every year
- Every five years
- Only when a school requests a review
Correct answer: At least once every three years
ESSA requires states, including Minnesota, to identify schools for comprehensive support and improvement at least once every three years.
MDE Accountability Systems 2
Under Minnesota's accountability framework, what is the primary purpose of the Annual Measurable Objectives (AMOs)?