Assessment
Assessment Information
Assessment is used at TCIS to measure student achievement and growth. TCIS uses both formative and summative assessments in alignment with the MN Dept. Of Education and Federal ESSA requirements. TCIS uses data to determine which skills and standards individual students need to work with and to guide Individual Learning Plans for students as needed.
Assessment Plan Calendar Supplement 2024 - 25
MCA Information
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).
Students in Grades 3 & 4 take one test in each subject: Mathematics and Reading
Student scores are report by Grade and Score (ie.. 350 = 3rd grade, score of 50 out of 99)
Score range is from 0-99
0-39 = Does Not Meet Expectations
40-49 = Partially Meets Expectations
50-?? = Meets Expectations (cut score changes based on grade and year)
??-99 = Exceeds Expectations
Most students take the MCA, but students who receive special education services and meet eligibility criteria may take the MTAS.
MAP Information
Measures of Academic Progress® (MAP®) are K – 12 interim assessments that measure growth, project proficiency on high-stakes tests, and inform how educators differentiate instruction, evaluate programs, and structure curriculum.
Computer adaptive MAP assessments reveal precisely which academic skills and concepts the student has acquired and what they’re ready to learn.
MAP assessments are grade independent and adapt to each student’s instructional level. Every item on a MAP assessment is anchored to a vertically aligned equal interval scale, called the RIT scale for Rasch UnIT—a stable measurement, like inches on a ruler, that covers all grades.
ACCESS Information
The ACCESS for ELs and Alternate ACCESS for ELs are the assessments developed by the WIDA consortium and administered to English learners in order to measure progress toward meeting Minnesota’s standards for English language development, developed by the WIDA consortium.
ACCESS is given to ELs in grades K-4. ACCESS assesses 4 Domains: Listening, Reading, Writing, & Speaking
Most English learners will take the ACCESS for ELs, but English learners who received special education services and meet the participation guidelines may take the Alternate ACCESS for ELs.
2015–2016 was the first operational administration of the ACCESS for ELs 2.0 which took the test online for the Domains of Listening, Reading, & Speaking for students in Gr. 1-4. Writing was still completed by test booklet/paper & pencil for students below grade 6.
Scoring is by Proficiency Level 1-6
Level 1 – Entering
Level 2 – Emerging
Level 3 – Developing
Level 4 – Expanding
Level 5 – Bridging
Level 6 - Reaching
MN School Report Card
The Minnesota Report Card is an interactive web tool designed to provide parents, educators, schools, districts and citizens with easy access to district and school information, test results, demographic information and other data regarding Twin Cities International Schools. Follow the directions on the home page of the Report Card to find annual state data about Twin Cities International Schools. https://rc.education.mn.gov/