MDE Curriculum Alignment 5

Question 1

A Minnesota district is implementing a new STEM initiative. Which alignment step should occur FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Map STEM initiative goals to existing Minnesota Academic Standards in Science, Math, and Technology

Answer

Mapping initiative goals to state standards first ensures the STEM program reinforces required learning rather than duplicating or replacing standards-based instruction.

Question 2

Which Minnesota statute gives the state authority to establish academic standards that districts must align their curricula to?

Accepted Answer

Minnesota Statute 120B.023

Answer

Minnesota Statute 120B.023 establishes the state's authority to adopt academic standards and requires districts to provide instruction aligned to those standards.

Question 3

A curriculum team is using a 'backwards design' approach aligned with MDE expectations. What is the correct order of steps?

Accepted Answer

Identify standards/outcomes → Design assessments → Plan instruction

Answer

Backwards design starts with desired outcomes (standards), then determines acceptable evidence (assessments), and finally plans instruction—the approach MDE promotes for standards-based curriculum.

Question 4

How should a Minnesota district handle a situation where two grade levels both address the same standard with no clear progression?

Accepted Answer

Design a vertical alignment meeting to clarify expectations and deepen rigor at each grade

Answer

A vertical alignment meeting allows educators to differentiate expectations by grade level so the standard is addressed with increasing depth and complexity.

Question 5

Which MDE initiative focuses specifically on ensuring that students with disabilities receive instruction aligned to grade-level academic standards?

Accepted Answer

Specially Designed Instruction aligned to grade-level standards through IEPs

Answer

IDEA requires that students with disabilities receive specially designed instruction that provides access to grade-level standards, reflected in their IEP goals.

(MDE) Minnesota Department of Education Practice Test

(MDE) Minnesota Department of Education Practice Test

MDE Curriculum Alignment 5