Alternate Assessments

MTAS/Alt MCA Administration 2026 Informational Meeting Video. The 2026 Informational Meeting Video covers a Math Alt MCA field test sample task, a Reading Alt MCA sample task, and modes of administration and materials for the Reading and Science Alternate MCA. Download the accompanying PowerPoint slides.

Reading Alt MCA Kickoff Meeting Video -This video provides an overview of the of the Reading Alt MCA and outlines the test materials, eligibility updates, and the Learner Characteristics Inventory (LCI). It also includes activities to experience the different administration modes (online, paper and hybrid). Download the accompanying PowerPoint slides.

Science Alt MCA Kickoff Meeting - This video provides an overview of the Science Alt MCA and outlines the materials, eligibility updates, and Learner Characteristics Inventory (LCI).  It also includes activities to experience the different administration modes (online, paper and hybrid). Download the accompanying PowerPoint slides.

Meaningful Access to Standards for Students with Disabilities Webinar – Hosted by the Special Education and Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment divisions, this webinar includes an activity demonstrating how to unpack a standard and develop extended benchmarks from general benchmarks. The process can be applied to non-assessed subjects and to students who need scaffolding to access instruction, no matter which assessment they take.

Alternate MCA Student Readiness Tools - The materials here include the Online and Paper Student Readiness Tools to interact with the online test form and a video explaining the online test form and paper materials to support paper and hybrid modes of administration.  Task Administration Manuals and sample demonstration videos for Science, Reading and Math Alternate MCA tasks can also be found on this page.

MTAS/Alt MCA Released Questions - The Minnesota Questions Tool (MQT) provides released or sample MTAS and Alt MCA questions aligned to the extended benchmarks of the Minnesota K–12 Academic Standards. Examples illustrate the rigor and complexity of the standards and include data tables and rationales.

Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs) and Achievement Level Descriptors (ALDs) - Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs), used for the Reading and Science Alt MCA, align with the revised academic standards and updated performance categories. Mathematics MTAS continues to use Achievement Level Descriptors (ALDs) until the transition to the Math Alt MCA. These descriptors describe student performance across defined levels, clarifying the knowledge and skills demonstrated and supporting consistent interpretation of results. For alternate assessments, descriptors reflect the reduced breadth, depth, and complexity of the extended benchmarks. Full descriptor documents are available on the linked MDE webpages.

District Resources - The District Resources page on the MDE website includes materials to support educators in administering and interpreting alternate assessment results. Under the “Test Score Interpretation Resources expandable header, educators can access quick guides and overviews of the Alt MCA and MTAS Individual Students Reports. Under the “Universal Supports and Accommodations Resources” expandable header, district and school staff can find detailed guidance e on supports and accommodations.

Minnesota Tests – The Minnesota Tests page on the MDE website has resources about alternate assessments, including the Eligibility Requirements for Minnesota Alternate Assessments, and a link to the Alternate assessments Participation page.