MDE Accountability Systems 5

Question 1

How does Minnesota's accountability system treat charter schools differently from traditional public schools?

Accepted Answer

Charter schools are held to the same accountability standards and can receive Priority or Focus designations

Answer

Charter schools are exempt from all state accountability requirements

Answer

Charter schools are only evaluated on graduation rate, not assessment scores

Answer

Charter schools submit their own accountability plans independently of MDE

Question 2

Which Minnesota assessment is used specifically to monitor the English language development of English Learner students for accountability purposes?

Accepted Answer

ACCESS for ELLs (WIDA)

Answer

MCA-III

Answer

MTAS (Minnesota Test of Academic Skills)

Answer

ACT WorkKeys

Question 3

A Minnesota school that serves students with significant cognitive disabilities uses the MTAS instead of the MCA. How does Minnesota account for MTAS scores in its accountability calculations?

Accepted Answer

MTAS scores count toward proficiency calculations with a 1% cap on the number of proficient MTAS scores that can be included

Answer

MTAS scores are excluded entirely from all accountability calculations

Answer

MTAS scores replace MCA scores for an entire school if more than half of students take the MTAS

Answer

MTAS scores are only reported to parents and not to MDE

Question 4

Under Minnesota's ESSA plan, which stakeholders must be involved when a district develops an improvement plan for a school identified for Comprehensive Support and Improvement?

Accepted Answer

School staff, families, and community members must be meaningfully involved in the planning process

Answer

Only district administrators and the school board are required participants

Answer

Only the school principal and MDE staff develop the plan

Answer

Plans are developed solely by an external consultant hired by MDE

Question 5

What is the role of the Minnesota Report Card website in the state's accountability system?

Accepted Answer

It publicly reports school and district performance data, including MMR scores and subgroup results, to promote transparency

Answer

It is an internal MDE tool accessible only to state employees

Answer

It is used exclusively for federal reporting to the U.S. Department of Education

Answer

It replaces the need for schools to send annual report cards to parents

Question 6

When a Minnesota school exits Priority status, what condition must it have met?

Accepted Answer

It must have demonstrated significant improvement on the indicators that led to its identification

Answer

It must have replaced its entire teaching staff

Answer

It must have increased enrollment by at least 10%

Answer

It must have merged with a higher-performing neighboring school

Question 7

How does Minnesota's accountability system incorporate science assessment results?

Accepted Answer

Science MCA scores are reported publicly but currently do not factor into the MMR school rating calculation

Answer

Science scores have the highest weight in the MMR calculation

Answer

Science scores are combined with math scores into a single STEM metric

Answer

Science assessments are optional and not part of any accountability reporting