2024-25 Parent/Guardian Participation Guide and Refusal Information

Parent/Guardian Participation Guide and Refusal

This form requires a parent's digital signature and should only to be completed by the Parent or Guardian of a student. Students should not complete this form.

Please Note: Forging a parent's signature (digital or written) is a serious issue that not only impacts future trust but may also have additional consequences.
Are you the parent or guardian of the student this form is intended for?*

YesNo

This form requires a parent or guardian to complete.

Thank you.

Statewide Assessments: Parent/Guardian Participation Guide and Refusal Information

Your student’s participation in statewide assessments is important as it allows your school and district to ensure all students have access to a high-quality education. In the past, students with disabilities and English learners were often excluded from statewide assessments. By requiring that all students take statewide assessments, schools and teachers have more information to see how all students are doing. This helps schools to continuously improve the education they provide and to identify groups, grades, or subjects that may need additional support.

Assessments Connect to Standards

Statewide assessments are based on the Minnesota Academic Standards or the WIDA English Language Development Standards. These standards define the knowledge and skills students should be learning in K–12 districts and charter schools. Minnesota prioritizes high-quality education and statewide assessments give educators and leaders an opportunity to evaluate student and school success.

Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA)

MCA and the alternate assessments (Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS)/Alternate MCA) are the annual assessments in reading, mathematics and science that measure a snapshot of student learning of the Minnesota K–12 Academic Standards.

ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS for English Learners

The ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS are the annual assessments for English learners that provide information about their progress in learning academic English, based on the WIDA English Language Development Standards.

Statewide Assessments Help Families and Students

Participating in statewide assessments helps families see a snapshot of their student’s learning so they can advocate for their success in school. High school students can use MCA results:
- For Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) in grade 10.
- For course placement at a Minnesota State college or university. If students receive a college-ready score, they may not need to take a remedial, noncredit course for that subject.
English learners who take the ACCESS or WIDA Alternate ACCESS and meet certain requirements, have the opportunity to exit from English learner programs.

Taking Statewide Assessments Helps Your Student’s School

Statewide assessments provide information to your school and district about how all students are engaging with the content they learn in school. This information helps:
- Educators evaluate their instructional materials.
- Schools and districts identify inequities between groups, explore root causes and implement supports.
- School and district leaders make decisions on how to use money and resources to support all students.
Student Participation in Statewide Assessments

Student participation in state and locally required assessments is a parent/guardian choice. If you choose to have your student not participate in a statewide assessment, please provide a reason for your decision on the form below. Contact your student’s school to learn more about locally required assessments.

Consequences of Not Participating in Statewide Assessments
- The student will not receive an individual score. For ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS, the student would not have the opportunity to exit their English learner program.
- School and district assessment results will be incomplete, making it more difficult to have an accurate picture of student learning.
- Since all eligible students are included in some calculations even when they do not participate, school and district accountability results are impacted. This may affect the school’s ability to be identified for support or recognized for success.
Check with your local school or district to see if there are any additional consequences for not participating.

Explore the Statewide Testing page for more information.

(education.mn.gov > Students and Families > Programs and Initiatives > Statewide Testing)

Additional Information
- On average, students spend less than 1% of instructional time taking statewide assessments each year.
- Minnesota statutes limit the total amount of time students can spend taking other district- or school-wide assessments to 11 hours or less each school year, depending on the grade.
- School districts and charter schools are required to publish an assessment calendar on their website by the beginning of each school year. Refer to your district or charter school’s website for more information on assessments.
Statewide Assessment: Parent/Guardian Decision Not to Participate

By completing this form, you are acknowledging that your student will not participate in statewide assessments and will not receive individual assessment results.
Please enter your email to receive a copy of this form when completed.
example@example.com
What grade is your student in for the 2024-25 school year*
Select Your Student's Building Level:*

High SchoolMiddle SchoolElementary SchoolSpecialty School/Alt Site
Which Elementary School*
Which Middle School*
Which High School*
Which Specialty/Alt Site*
Student's Name*

First NameMiddle Initial Last Name
Student's Date of Birth*

MonthDayYear
Date
Student ID Number (if known)
District*
Parent's Full Name*

First NameLast Name
Please indicate the statewide assessment(s) you are opting your student out of this school year*

MCA/MTAS ReadingMCA/Alternate MCA ScienceMCA/MTAS MathematicsACCESS/WIDA Alternate ACCESS
Reason for Refusal*
Contact your school or district for more information on how to opt out of local assessments.
Note: This form is only applicable for the 2024-25 school year
Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Parent/Guardian Signature*

Clear
!School Building (Calculation Field)
!School Year 1 (Calculation Field)
!School Year 2 (Calculation Field)
Should be Empty:

Note: This form is only applicable for the 2024-25 school year