Research, Assessment & Analytics
The District 196 Research, Assessment, and Analytics Department is dedicated to advancing student success through data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.
We help teachers and school leaders improve teaching and learning by using quality tests that accurately show how much students are learning and growing. These tests help teachers pinpoint where a student might need extra help, ensuring the data is used to support the district's mission of educating, developing, and inspiring students for lifelong success.
Structured Assessment Model
Assessment is a systematic process of monitoring student learning, informing instructional decisions, and ensuring accountability. Assessments help educators understand what students know and can do, identify areas for improvement, and tailor instructional strategies to meet individual needs.
The District 196 model has four main types of assessments:
- Universal screening efficiently determines the effectiveness of instructional practices and identifies students who may require additional support.
- Diagnostic assessments determine specific student strengths and skill gaps with insights into instruction and curriculum to impact learning.
- Progress monitoring measures student responsiveness and growth rate as well as evaluates the effectiveness of interventions.
- Outcome assessments evaluate how well students learned the intended learning goals.
Minnesota Statewide Assessments
Minnesota’s statewide assessments give educators, school districts and state education leaders information in context that they can use to make decisions about education. Educators and schools use the information to help guide instruction and better support students. The state and members of the public can use the data to focus on the important goal of providing equitable opportunities for all students across the state.
For Minnesota’s statewide assessments to reflect the full impact of district- and state-level implementation of the applicable standards, as well as district-level success at teaching the standards, it is important for all Minnesota students to take the statewide tests. The impact of this data spans the state, impacts each district, and demonstrates clear trends across time. In addition, multilingual students learning English must take the WIDA ACCESS or WIDA Alternate ACCESS to exit English language instruction. Without these test scores, students will continue to receive English language development services.
The parent/guardian refusal form must be submitted to the school in writing before the first scheduled day of testing every school year. See the posted assessment calendar on the school’s website for specific dates.
- Parent/Guardian Participation Guide and Refusal Information - English
- Guía y negación de permiso para la participación del estudiante - Español
- Qiimaynta Gobolka oo dhan: Tusida Macluumaadka Diidmada iyo Ka Qaybqaadashada Waalidka/Masuulka - Somaaliga
Helpful links
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Student Readiness Tools - resources used to familiarize students and educators with the online and paper MCAs and Alternate MCAs. In each SRT, students will learn how to navigate within the test, use tools and test supports, and indicate answers to different types of questions.
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Minnesota Report Card - access to district and school results in an understandable way.
District 196 2026-27 Assessment Calendar
Skip to Section:
FastBridge | Capti | i-Ready | Savvas Momentum | SAEBRS | WIDA ACCESS | MCA | PSAT/NMSQT | ASVAB | PreACT | ACT | ACCUPLACER | Bilingual Seals | AP
FastBridge Literacy and Math Screener
Grades: K-10, High school math depends on course
Testing Windows: Sept. 8-15; Dec. 7-18; May 20-27; visit your student's school website for specific testing dates
Approximate Testing Time: 15-30 minutes
Purpose: This helps teachers look at how they teach and see which students need extra help, while following READ Act rules.
Results: Families can get these results in a progress report during conferences or directly from the teacher.
Additional Information: The FastBridge screener in grades K-1 is educator-led; for all other grades, it is a digital test.
Capti ReadBasix Literacy Diagnostic
Grades: 4-10 all students, 11 identified students
Testing Windows: Sept. 14-22; Nov. 16-Dec. 22, Feb. 22-March 9; visit your student's school website for specific testing dates
Approximate Testing Time: 45-60 minutes
Purpose: To see what students already know and what they still need to learn. This helps teachers plan the best lessons to help every student succeed.
Results: Families can get these results in a progress report during conferences or directly from the teacher.
i-Ready® Math Diagnostic
Grades: K-5
Testing Window: Sept. 14-24; Additional dates to be announced; visit your student's school website for specific testing dates
Approximate Testing Time: 60 minutes
Purpose: To see what students already know and what they still need to learn. This helps teachers plan the best lessons to help every student succeed.
Results: Families can get these results in a progress report during conferences or directly from the teacher.
Savvas Momentum Math Diagnostic
Grades: 6-8
Testing Windows: Sept. 14-21; optional Jan. 19-29; May 17-28; visit your student's school website for specific testing dates
Approximate Testing Time: 40-60 minutes
Purpose: To see what students already know and what they still need to learn. This helps teachers plan the best lessons to help every student succeed.
Results: Families can get these results in a progress report at conferences or directly from their student's teacher.
SAEBRS and mySAEBRS Social, Academic, and Emotional Behavior Risk Screener
Grades: K-8 SAEBRS at identified schools; 4-8 mySAEBRS at identified schools
Testing Windows: Oct. 5-23; Jan. 11-29; May 3-21; visit your student's school website for specific testing dates
Approximate Testing Time: SAEBRS completed by student's teacher; mySAEBRS - 10 minutes
Purpose: To help teachers and students figure out what students are good at and where they might need help with their feelings, behavior, and getting along with others.
Results: Families can get these results in a progress report at conferences or directly from their student's teacher.
WIDA ACCESS or WIDA Alternate ACCESS
Grades: K-12 for students identified as English language learners
Testing Window: Feb. 1-March 26, visit your student's school website for specific testing dates
Approximate Testing Time: About 60 minutes for each section (reading, listening, writing, speaking)
Purpose: To see how well students are learning English. This helps teachers know if a student needs additional support. It also meets state and national rules.
Results: Families will get results in September.
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) or Alternate MCA (Reading, Math, Science)
Grades:
- Grades 3-8: Reading and math
- Grades 5 and 8: Science
- Grade 10: Reading
- Grade 11: Math
- High school students taking Biology: Science
Testing Window: March 8 - May 7, through May 14 for MCA Science, visit your student's school website for specific testing dates
- High School MCA Day: March 16, 2027
Approximate Testing Time: About 90 minutes for each subject
Purpose: To see how well students are learning the state's required subject standards. It also meets state and national laws.
Results: Early results are posted online in Infinite Campus in June. Families will get the final results in September.
Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT)®²
Grades: 10-11 optional
Testing Window: October, visit your student's school website for specific testing dates
Approximate Testing Time: 180 minutes
Purpose: To give students in 11th grade an opportunity to qualify for National Merit Scholarships
Results: College Board sends the results about four weeks after the test.
PSAT/NMSQT is a registered trademark of the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
Grades: 9-12 optional
Testing Window: November, visit your student's school website for specific testing dates
Approximate Testing Time: 150 minutes
Purpose: To see how ready students are for job placement
Results: Results are given right away after taking the test.
PreACT® (Pre-American College Test)
Grade: 10
Testing Date: April 13, 2027
Approximate Testing Time: 150 minutes
Purpose: To help students get ready for the ACT by showing them what they do well and what areas need more practice.
Results: Students will get their results about three week after taking the test.
ACCUPLACER®
Grade: 11 optional
Testing Date: April 13, 2027
Approximate Testing Time: 210 minutes
Purpose: To see if students are ready for job training, trade programs, or a two-year college.
Results: Results are given right away after taking the test.
ACCUPLACER® is a trademark registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse District 196.
Bilingual Seals
Grades: 12 optional
Testing Date: April 13, 2027
Approximate Testing Time: 180 minutes
Purpose: To see how well students can speak, listen, read, and write in a language other than English. An intermediate score or higher can help students earn college credit.
Results: Students get their results before graduation.
Advanced Placement (AP)®
Grades: High school students taking AP courses
Testing Dates: May 3-14, 2027
Approximate Testing Time: 120-180 minutes
Purpose: To see how well students learned the material in their Advanced Placement (AP) class. A passing score can help students earn college credit.
Results: College Board sends out the results on the first Monday in July.
AP® is a trademark registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse District 196.
Contacts
