Calling conservative educators: MN Dept. of Ed forming committees to review state tests
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) recently announced it is seeking educators to review the state’s academic assessments — the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) — and ensure they “are aligned to the academic standards, grade-level appropriate and reflect the diversity of our students.”
Learn more here. The direct registration link is here.
Who
Experienced public school teachers (charters included) in math, reading, science, English learner, and special education teaching grade 2 through high school.
(Not a public school teacher? You can register to serve on the Community MCA Review Committee or Alternate MCA Review Committee and help review passages and test questions to “ensure culturally affirming content” and “inclusive language and content.” Learn more here.)
What
To review the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) or Alternate MCAs for test content and academic standards alignment.
Committee members will:
- “Review test questions, passages, and phenomena to judge appropriateness of content, cognitive complexity, and ensure inclusive language and content.”
- “Review each test question and its associated data after field testing with students, to determine inclusion of the questions in the item bank, from which the tests are built.”
- “Assist in developing drafts of test specifications that outline eligible test content (this process occurs only after new standards are adopted).”
When
Each committee will meet for two to four days this summer. According to MDE: “When the committee completes their objective, a new committee is formed for the next task in the test development process.” Members are paid an honorarium or reimbursed for a substitute.
Where
Reviewers will meet at the Minnesota Department of Education with other reviewers and MDE staff. Travel expenses and lodging provided for those traveling from outside the Twin Cities metro region.
Why
Helping to ensure Minnesota’s statewide assessments are high quality is of great importance, particularly given the state’s academic track record and efforts by MDE to take education in an alarming direction. As an educator, your invaluable classroom experience can play a vital role in creating these state assessments.
MDE has stressed that “when all voices are represented, our state tests better serve all students in our schools.” Your involvement and perspective will play a vital role in ensuring diverse perspectives are included to accomplish this goal.
Additional benefits:
- Learn how students are expected to demonstrate mastery of academic standards and benchmarks on assessments — what is the rigor like?
- Networking opportunities to learn from other educators who teach the same content area and/or grade level and share best practices.
- Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are awarded.