Overview
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) are state tests in reading, mathematics, and science and are administered every year in the spring to measure student performance relative to the Minnesota Academic Standards. Most Minnesota students take the MCA. Students who receive special education services and meet eligibility requirements may take the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS).
Schoolzilla's connector supports:
- Reading (grades 3–8)
- Mathematics (grades 3–8)
- Science (grades 5 and 8)
- MCA
More information is available on the MN Department of Education.
How We Connect
The MCA student data file must be downloaded from the state website and then uploaded on My Data.
Mappings Overview
The information below summarizes where key data elements are loaded from across student score data files that are submitted. The column names referenced may not match the column name in the file exactly as this changes over time.
| Key Field(s) | Mapping(s) |
|---|---|
|
System Student ID |
Scores are linked to students using the Localstudentid column in the file. We match to students in the student information system using the following (in order of preference):
*See your student information system page for information on this mapping. |
|
System School ID |
Scores are linked to schools using the Testingschoolnumber in the file. These are matched to a school in My Schools. Please contact support to resolve incorrect or failed matches. |
|
School Year |
Scores are linked to school years using the Testdate column in the file. School Year is extracted from the column. An example of Testdate column is "20210308". |
|
Proficiency Score |
Overall scores are sourced from the Achievementlevel column. Scores for strands are sourced from ScoreXChracteristic columns. Here are numeric levels corresponding to each level: Does Not Meet the Standards (1), Partially Meets the Achievement Standards (2), Meets the Achievement Standards (3), and Exceeds the Achievement Standards (4). |
Business Rules for Related Metrics
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there metrics for MCA assessment?
Yes, there are MCA ELA Proficiency, Math Proficiency, and Science Proficiency metrics.