Standardized Test Schedule
2020-2021 Standardized Testing
Purpose
Riverway Learning Community administers two different general standardized exams each year, the MCA and the NWEA MAP. The MTAS is also administered as necessary.
MCA = Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment
This standardized exam, which includes math, reading, and science, is mandated by the State of Minnesota Department of Education. It is administered at the end of each year to assess each student’s grade level proficiency and annual growth. This is a state normed test and therefore allows comparison of an individual student to other students in Minnesota that are in the same grade. The results are used by the Department of Education to assess the efficacy of the school’s programs. The results are also used by our authorizer, the Audubon Center of the North Woods, to assess how the school does in comparison to our contractual goals. The results of the MCA are available to the general public when released by the MDE and are distributed to students and families at the beginning of each school year.
MTAS = Minnesota Test of Academic Progress
This standardized exam, designed for students with Special Needs and includes math, reading, and science, is mandated by the State of Minnesota Department of Education. It is administered at the end of each year to assess each student’s grade level proficiency and annual growth. This is a state normed test and therefore allows comparison of an individual student to other students in Minnesota that are in the same grade. The results are used by the Department of Education to assess the efficacy of the school’s programs. The results are also used by our authorizer, the Audubon Center of the North Woods, to assess how the school does in comparison to our contractual goals. The results of the MCA are available to the general public when released by the MDE and are distributed to students and families at the beginning of each school year.
NWEA MAP = Northwest Evaluation Association Measure of Academic Progress
We choose to administer this standardized exam which includes reading and math. It is administered three times a year, in the fall, winter, and spring, first to get an initial baseline, and then subsequently to assess student academic growth. This is a nationally normed test and therefore allows comparison of an individual student to others students in the same grade across the country. Results are used internally to help make instructional decisions, and by our Authorizer to assess how the school does in comparison to our contractual goals. The results of the NWEA MAP are distributed during parent-teacher conferences following the Fall and Winter testing periods. The Spring results are distributed with the MCA results at the beginning of the following year.
Schedule
2019-2020