Take the MCA Challenge at the Minnesota State Fair

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Roseville, Minn. - The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is inviting Minnesotans to take the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) Challenge at the Minnesota State Fair for a fun and free preview of the innovative online MCA assessment that students take every spring.

State Fair visitors will have the opportunity to test at three different levels in math and science: elementary, middle and high school. MDE welcomes visitors of all ages to test their knowledge with this fun, free, and quick challenge.

“Are you smarter than a Minnesota 5th grader?” asks Minnesota Education Commissioner Alice Seagren. “Everyone should experience firsthand the high expectations we have for our students by taking these short sample tests.”

This online challenge will offer insight into what students today need to know and be able to do at different grade levels. The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments serve as the state’s accountability system for schools and satisfy the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).

The sample tests at the fair were done in cooperation with the state’s current testing vendor, Pearson. Parents of students taking the MCAs can participate more fully in their child's education through Pearson’s Perspective website. The site helps parents understand the information on the Individual Student Report, and lets them explore a wide range of online learning activities designed to enrich and improve their child's knowledge and skills.

By spring 2011, these practice assessments will be available online for parents and students.

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