Dear Parent or Guardian,
The purpose of this letter is to inform you of the internal procedure used by ISD #191 in regard to the request to opt out of standardized testing in the school district. The right for a parent or guardian to exempt their child(ren) from standardized testing is a federally-protected right. Because of this, the Bursnville-Eagan-Savage School District acknowledges your ability to exercise this right. While our aim is to use standardized testing to provide a basis for continually improving our programming for students, we will work to make sure that your request is honored in the best manner possible. It is important to note that assessment data is important for school personnel to reference to ensure students are making adequate yearly progress towards or beyond state standards. The assessment data is used to inform appropriate instruction and appropriate educational supports.
For your reference, the following is a brief description of each standardized test given in the school district, plus the grade levels where the assessment is administered. Finally, on the back side of the letter is a table summarizing the approximate time each assessment takes[CE1].
Kindergarten Assessment (Given in Kindergarten)
Kindergarten assessment is a curriculum-based measurement used for universal screening of students. This assessment measures overall performance of key foundational skills in reading and mathematics. This is an assessment that is given locally and is used to help provide appropriate instructional support for students.
AIMSWeb (Given in Grade K through Grade 8)
AIMSWeb is a curriculum-based measurement used for universal screening and progress monitoring of students. This assessment measures overall performance of key foundational skills in reading, mathematics, spelling, and writing. AIMSWeb is an assessment that is given locally and is used to help provide appropriate instructional support for students.
NWEA MAP (Given in Grade 1 through Grade 8)
NWEA MAP tests are reading and math computer-based assessments that adapt to each student. STAR is an assessment that is given locally and is used to help provide appropriate instructional support, and sometimes class placement, for students.
MCA/MTAS (Given in Grades 3-8 , 10 and 11)
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) and alternateassessment Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) are the state tests that help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota’s academic standards and also meet the requirements of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Students take one test in each subject. Most students take the MCA, but students who receive special education services and meet eligibility requirements may take the alternate assessment MTASinstead.
English Language Proficiency Assessments
The ACCESS for ELLs and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs are the assessments developed by the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (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. Most English learners will take the ACCESS for ELLs, but English learners that receive special education services and meet the participation guidelines may take the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs
ACT (Given in Grade 11)
The ACT is America's most widely accepted college entrance exam. It assesses high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. School districts in Minnesota are required to administer the ACT to all students as part of their graduation requirements. Students are not required to take the ACT.
ASPIRE (Given in Grades 8, 9, 10)
ACT Aspire is an assessment system that measures academic achievement in English, math, reading, science, and writing in grades 8 through 10. ACT Aspire is linked to the ACT College and Career Readiness Standards
AIMSweb and NWEA assessment typically occurs in two week windows in the fall, winter, and spring. MCA/MTAS, ACCESS/Alternate ACCESS and ACT assessments typically occur in April.
Table: Approximate Test Times
Test / Approximate TimeAIMSWeb grades K-8 / Less than 15 minutes
NWEA, grades 1-8 / 20 minutes per test (reading and math)
MCA Math, grades 3-8 / 1-2 hours
MCA Math, grade 11 / 1.5-2.5 hours
MCA Reading, grades 3-8 / 3-4 hours
MCA Reading, graade 11 / 3.5-4.5 hours
MCA Science, grades 5 and 8 / 1-2 hours
MCA Science, grade High School / 1-2 hours
MTAS / Individualized
ACT grade 11 / Typically 4 hours
ASPIRE grade 8,9,10 / Typically 4 hours
ACCESS grades K-12 / 20 minutes per section (reading, writing, speaking, listening)
Please note that if you choose to opt your child(ren) out of any of the standardized tests offered in the school district, then your child’s school will provide a learning opportunity that is meaningful, well-planned, age/grade appropriate, and has a direct connection to the curriculum in place of the standardized test.
To opt out your child(ren) from standardized testing in the Burnsville School District, a written notification needs to be given to the Building Principal. This written notification needs to include the following:
1. The name of the person making the request;
2. Contact information for the person making the request;
3. Name of the student(s) being exempted and the child’s grade level and, where applicable, their teacher’s name;
3. The reason or reasons for opting out of standardized testing;
4. What specific tests are being asked to be excluded.
The written notification can be submitted in one of three ways:
1. Via a written letter to the school Prinicpal
2. Via an e-mail to the school Princial
3. A letter dropped off in person to the School
The contact information for the District Assessment Coordinator is as follows:
Dr. Constance Erickson
200 West Burnsville Parkway
Burnsville, MN
Revised9/28/2016
[CE1]We could also direct them to the interactive assessment calendar which contains this info.