MDE Accountability Systems 4

Question 1

Under Minnesota's accountability system, what action is required of a district when one of its schools is identified as a Priority school?

Accepted Answer

The district must develop and implement a school improvement plan with specific, measurable goals

Answer

The district must immediately transfer all students to a neighboring school

Answer

The district must eliminate elective courses to focus on core subjects

Answer

The district must replace all instructional staff within 30 days

Question 2

The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) are aligned to which set of academic standards?

Accepted Answer

Minnesota Academic Standards

Answer

Common Core State Standards

Answer

Next Generation Science Standards only

Answer

No Child Left Behind standards

Question 3

Which Minnesota accountability indicator specifically tracks whether students in each subgroup are on pace to graduate within four years?

Accepted Answer

Graduation Rate indicator

Answer

Growth component

Answer

Achievement Gap Reduction component

Answer

Proficiency index

Question 4

When Minnesota calculates the Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) component of the MMR, which comparison is central to the calculation?

Accepted Answer

The gap between a school's lowest-performing subgroup and the statewide median performance

Answer

The gap between the highest- and lowest-scoring individual students in the school

Answer

The gap between the school's current year scores and its prior year scores

Answer

The gap between the school's EL students and its gifted students

Question 5

Which federal law provides the current framework for Minnesota's school accountability system as of 2026?

Accepted Answer

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

Answer

No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)

Answer

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Answer

Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (original)

Question 6

Minnesota's accountability system requires that schools receiving Title I funds that are identified for Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) must use evidence-based interventions. What does 'evidence-based' mean in this context?

Accepted Answer

Interventions supported by at least one well-designed study showing positive student outcomes

Answer

Interventions that have been used in the district for at least five years

Answer

Interventions recommended by the state teachers' union

Answer

Interventions that cost less than $10,000 to implement

Question 7

In the context of Minnesota accountability, what does 'Targeted Support and Improvement' (TSI) designation mean for a school?

Accepted Answer

One or more student subgroups are consistently underperforming compared to CSI schools' lowest-performing subgroups

Answer

The school has failed all five MMR components simultaneously

Answer

The school's overall enrollment has declined for three straight years

Answer

The school has a teacher vacancy rate above 20%