South Washington Alternative High School closely follows the requirements established by state and federal education mandates for assessment and accountability.
Student grades are meant to provide an accurate reflection of a student's learning with what they know based on grade level academic standards.
All students identified as English Learners (EL) will be taking the ACCESS or Alternate ACCESS assessment between January and March.
This assessment is a federal requirement to assess English proficiency for students learning English. There are four domains tested - Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.
If you have questions, please contact the principal at your child’s school for specific dates and more information.
About ACCESS Testing
In order to follow federal and state mandates, all EL-identified students are given an English proficiency examination annually, even if they are not currently receiving English learner services. The test scores are used to make sure students are making progress in English through reading, writing, listening and speaking. The test is called the Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State (ACCESS). This test helps teachers and schools understand how well students are learning English.
The ACCESS test includes questions about reading, writing and listening. The test is taken in a group setting with other students and includes a speaking assessment between each student and a teacher. The test will not be timed.
Your child will be tested during the regular school day either on a computer (online) or on paper as noted below. Our testing schedule:
Grades
Test
Kindergarten
Assessment: 60-90 minutes
Grades 1-12 (Online)
Listening: 65 minutes
Grades 1-12 (Online)
Reading: up to 90 minutes
Grades 1-12 (Online)
Speaking: 40-60 minutes
Grades 1-5 (Paper)
Writing: 65-90 minutes
Grades 6-12 (Online)
Writing: 65-90 minutes
Alternate ACESS test (for select students with an IEP)
SoWashCo Schools administers the American College Test (the ACT) each year to students in grade 11. The test will be administered online at school on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.Minnesota State Statute 120B.30 requires SoWashCo Schools to provide an opportunity for high school students to take a college entrance exam during the school day.
The ACT is accepted by all US colleges and universities
The ACT can help students get better scholarships
The ACT provides college and career resources for each examinee
While some colleges are making the admissions process “test optional” at this time, here are some things to consider. Taking the ACT enables you to:
Take the right classes
Get more scholarships
Qualify for specific programs
Secure your admission.
Read more here about why the ACT is right for you even if not every college is requiring a college entrance exam at this time. Historically a college entrance exam, like the ACT, are required for admission into most colleges and are a large part of the admissions process.
When students take the ACT test, high school educators and counselors receive valuable information for guidance and curriculum development. K-12 professionals use ACT reports to:
Guide students toward college and career readiness
Assist students with college and career planning
Evaluate the effectiveness of instruction
Plan changes and improvements in curriculum
Each time you take the ACT, you get a composite score that is an average of the results on the four subjects of the test: Math, Science, English and Reading. Composite scores range from 1-36. For each subject you’ll see your readiness for first year college courses in the corresponding subjects. Sample score report.
All students must attend school on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 to take the ACT. Registration is not required. There will not be a make-up opportunity.
Students at East Ridge High School, Park High School, SoWashCo Online, and Woodbury High School should report to their testing location by 8:30 a.m.
South Washington Alternative High School students should report to their testing location by 8:45 a.m.
Students arriving at their testing location after 8:50 a.m. will not be admitted due to ACT testing rules.
Students should come with their ACT approved calculator, a writing utensil, photo ID, and their school-issued chromebook charged and ready.
Schedule, meals and transportation
School start times will remain the same.
Students will test until approximately 1 p.m. with one 15-minute break. A snack will be provided at break time and students may also bring a snack of their own.
Lunch will be available after testing is complete.
Students will be dismissed and have the option to leave school at the conclusion of testing; students who choose to remain in the building will be directed to a supervised area. Bus transportation via regular routes will be available at the regular high school dismissal times.
Test results
Students are encouraged to sign up for a free MyACT account to access scores early. Students with an account can view their scores online before score reports are mailed out. At the latest, accounts must be created two days after testing.
Contact your principal for more specific information about ACT testing at your school.
All students in grade 2 will take the CogAT Assessment in their classrooms during the testing window, Oct. 23 to Nov. 17, 2023
This assessment measures a student's reasoning and problem solving skills in three areas: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning. The assessment is a part of a balanced assessment system used in South Washington County Schools. Some important ways we use CogAT data are:
to help teachers develop the best learning plan for each child and support their unique learning needs, and
as part of screening all students for additional Talent Development and Advanced Academic Services in conjunction with the Measures for Academic Progress (MAP) reading and math.
To learn more about the CogAT and how we use the results in SoWashCo, visit the Talent Development’s webpage.
SoWashCo Schools administers the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth assessment each year in grades 2-8 for both Reading and Math as a part of a balanced assessment system. This year the assessment will be given between Sept. 11 and Oct. 13 for grades 2-8. Middle schools will administer the assessment again in the winter between Jan. 8 and Feb. 7 to students in grades 6-8.
Results of the MAP growth assessments are used to:
Identify current skill levels and the rate of academic growth over time.
Determine individual strengths and areas of growth to help with instructional planning.
Identify students to receive Advanced Learner Services,
Identify or exit students from reading and/or math interventions.
Place students in the appropriate 6th and 8th grade math courses.
SoWashCo Schools administers the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) each year. Students who receive special education services and meet eligibility criteria may take the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) test as an alternative. Most students will take the MCA online during the school day.
About the MCA/MTAS
The MCA/MTAS assesses students’ knowledge of academic, grade-level standards in reading, mathematics, and science. The test results are a source of information for us to evaluate our services, supports, programs, and classroom instruction. The MCA/MTAS assessment results are used by many people for multiple purposes. Some examples include:
High school students can use MCA results to skip remedial coursework at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, as well as to enroll in the Post-secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program.
Families use the data to track and understand their child/ren’s progress in learning grade-level standards.
Teachers use the data to inform their instruction and assess student learning.
District and school staff members use the results to assess academic achievement trends over time and identify inequities across student groups.
The MN Department of Education uses MCA data as an academic indicator in the North Star accountability system. The system identifies schools and districts that need support to improve student outcomes, ensures that accountability indicators are publicly reported, and recognizes schools and districts that have implemented successful strategies.
Policymakers use results to identify gaps in services and programming needs within communities.
Participation
Students in the following grades participate in the MCA/MTAS:
Reading: Grades 3-8, 10
Mathematics: Grades 3-8, and 11
Science: Grades 5 and 8, and any high school student taking a life science or biology course
Participation in MCA/MTAS testing is important so that we have accurate data to assess how students are learning academic standards and determine which academic areas we need to improve instruction in. Testing dates for each school are posted in the District Testing Calendar before the school year begins.
We recognize that the MCA/MTAS testing window overlaps with a number of religious observances and holy days. SoWashCo Schools is committed to honoring and being responsive to the needs of all families and students. Please contact your child’s school if you have concerns or questions about school testing dates and times, needed accommodations, and/or your student’s participation in MCA/MTAS testing.
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has the following resources to learn more about the assessments:
The Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to students who demonstrate proficiency in English and another language. English proficiency is demonstrated by earning all required English Language Arts credits in high school, while proficiency in other languages are demonstrated by test results.
Currently, eligible languages for Minnesota's Seal of Biliteracy program include: Amharic, American Sign Language, Arabic, Bulgarian, Chinese (Mandarin), Czech, Dakota/Lakota, Dari, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Hmong, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Karen, Korean, Latin, Ojibwe, Oromo, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tamil, Thai, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
SoWashCo Schools does not administer testing for every eligible language. Students who want to test in Bulgarian, Hungarian, Latin, and Thai should contact Mao Thao Jacobson (mjacobso1@sowashco.org, 651-425-6228) for more information about where and how to test. Testing for Tamil can be taken with the MN Tamil School (typically in May) or Twin Cities Tamil Padasalai.
Benefits of the Seal of Biliteracy
Students are recognized for their bilingual/bicultural or multilingual/multicultural identity.
The Seal provides credentials for job and internship opportunities.
The Seal provides recognition on college entrance applications.
Testing Registration and Cost
Testing is open to students in grades 11 and 12. Registration is open during the month of January each school year.
SoWashCo Schools will cover the cost of testing in one language per school year. If students would like to test in multiple languages in the same school year, students/families will need to pay for the cost of additional tests.
In making the decision to test, students and families should review ACTFL’s guidelines on what learners can do at each proficiency level and additional resources from the MN Seal of Biliteracy Program:
Assesses writing and speaking skills in Amharic, Czech, Hmong, Somali Maay Maay, Somali Maxaa, Tamil, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese
Assesses reading, writing, and speaking skills for Swahili
Students taking the STAMP WS must also take the accompanying Extempore/MN Department of Education (MDE) language assessments
Extempore/MDE language assessments
Assesses reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in Dakota/Lakota, Karen, Ojibwe, and Oromo
Assesses reading and listening skills in Amharic, Czech, Dari, Hmong, Pashto, Somali, Tamil, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese
Assesses listening skills in Swahili
ACTFL SOBL: Assesses speaking and writing for Dari and Pashto
In addition to these assessments, students can earn an award based on qualifying scores on the Advanced Placement Language and Culture exams and International Baccalaureate Language B exams. A student may also test outside of SoWashCo Schools and submit their qualifying score reports to receive an award upon graduation. Students should submit their score report to their high school counselor.
There are three award levels: Platinum Seal, Gold Seal, and World Language Proficiency Certificate. The highest award level students receive in a language will be documented on students’ transcripts upon graduation. Students must use their high school transcript to request college credits from post-secondary institutions. College credits must be requested within three years of graduating high school.
Below is a Table of Award Levels and corresponding ACTFL Proficiency Level, Eligible College Credits, and Qualifying Test Scores
For questions about the Seal of Biliteracy, please contact Mark McIlmoyle, Director of Teaching and Learning - Secondary at mmcilmoy@sowashco.org or 651-425-6353.
For questions about testing, please contact Mao Thao Jacobson, Director of Program Evaluation, Research and Assessment at mjacobso1@sowashco.org or 651-425-6228.
High School Testing Dates
Most students will participate in school-wide testing. Students will participate in the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA), American College Testing (ACT) and/or the Seal of Biliteracy. These tests will be administered at school on the student's school-issued device.
Please review the table below to determine if the student is expected to attend school for testing. Students that are not testing are expected to complete schoolwork at home. Assignments will be posted by their teacher in Schoology. Please note that teachers may not be available for questions during testing days as they will be administering and proctoring testing.
MCA/MTAS Reading and Math Testing
If participating in testing, students must bring their school-issued device
Grade
Grade 9
Complete schoolwork at home
Grade 10
Attend school to take the Reading MCA
Grade 11
Attend school to take the Math MCA
Grade 12
Complete schoolwork at home
ACT, MCA/MTAS Science, Seal of Biliteracy
If participating in testing, students must bring their school-issued device
Grade
Grade 9
Complete schoolwork at home if NOT taking a Biology course
Attend school to take the Science MCA if taking a Biology course
Grade 10
Complete schoolwork at home if NOT taking a Biology course
Attend school to take the Science MCA if taking a Biology course
Grade 11
Attend school to take the ACT
Grade 12
Complete schoolwork at home if NOT taking a Biology course or are not register for Seal of Biliteracy testing
Attend school to take the Science MCA if taking a Biology course
Attend school to take the Seal of Biliteracy test (must be registered)
SoWashCo high schools do not provide class ranks. Information indicating a class rank using either the academic or all-subject grade point averages will not be issued internally or externally to staff, students, parents, or other academic institutions or agencies.
Due to the nature of our curriculum and the ability of our students, we believe that statistical class rank would represent an inaccurate assessment of a student's abilities and potential for collegiate success.
Course failure defined: The student has not achieved the expected level of competence in the course outcomes, concept development or skill attainment. Further, it is the assessment of the classroom instructor that the student's continuous academic progress is best served by the student repeating the course. The "F" has a value of (0.00) in the district's grading system. It counts as an attempted credit in determining the student's GPA.
Students must meet all course credit requirements and graduation standards, as established by the State of Minnesota and the SoWashCo School Board, in order to graduate.
Students must earn:
12 credits in English
10 credits in Social Studies (including 1 cr in Political Science and 1 cr in Economics)
9 credits in Mathematics
9 credits in Science (must include one year of Biology and one year of Chemistry or Physics)
1 credit in General Physical Education
1 credit in Health (embedded throughout high school)
Students must fulfill all of the requirements of each course before a grade will be issued. Students who have been ill/absent for an excused reason and are issued an incomplete must make up the incomplete work within 2 weeks of when grades are published (unless granted an extended time period as approved by administration). No credit will be awarded for the course until the incomplete is made up and an alpha grade is issued. The "I" has a mark value of (0). It counts as an attempted credit in determining the student's GPA.
Mid-term reports are available to view via Parent Portal before conferences each trimester. Teachers may send periodic reports or call parents if a student is receiving a failing or near failing grade in their respective courses. If a student is failing after mid-term, the teacher must notify the parents by mail or phone call.
Students may request to take an elective course for Pass/No Credit by filling out the appropriate form.
Only two elective class can be taken under this program per trimester, per year.
Once the decision has been made, the student is to:
Pick up a pass/no credit form in the Counseling and Career Center, obtain parent/guardian signature, and return it to the counselor.
After the counselor has reviewed and approved the request, the teacher will receive a copy of the form.
All grading during the trimester will remain the same; only the final grade will differ.
Students returning from out-of district placements, or with special circumstances, may be granted extended pass/no credit options.
Pass/No Credit facts to know:
After making a decision to be graded "pass/no credit" in an elective course, a student cannot later change his/her mind.
A pass/no credit grade will not be part of the GPA.
A course taken on the pass/no credit program and successfully completed will receive the same one credit toward graduation as offered under the alpha system.
To receive credit, students must earn a minimum of a "D" grade. A class may not require a grade equivalent above a "D" to earn a "pass" grade. Teachers must notify students who have chosen the "P" grade what criteria will be used to determine the "D" grade, or what is expected in order to pass the class.
Pass/No Credit for Special Education Students
Pass/No Credit for Special Education Students Students whose courses/subjects are modified or adapted by an Individual Education Plan (IEP) shall earn grades consistent with normal grading practices unless the IEP provides for an alternate grading system. The alternate grading system shall provide a "P" for satisfactory progress or a "N" for no credit toward IEP goals and shall be determined by the student's special education IEP Team.
Students' grades will be posted to parents/guardians for review at the end of each trimester via Campus Parent Portal. Parents can track student grades and GPA (and attendance) throughout the school year by using Campus Parent Portal. To register for an account, contact the Department of Student Information at (651)-458-6236.
SoWashCo Schools will grant credit on a performance basis for any course, except Physical Education, in grades 7-12 if a student successfully completes an approved assessment. The assessment will represent the content included in the subject.
Testing out is an opportunity to earn credits for a course a student has not yet taken at any institution or online. Testing out implies that the student is ready and capable of taking the test when the application is submitted. Students may not attempt testing out of a course in which they have been previously enrolled.
If the student passes the assessment with the grade of B or better, credit with a grade of P (pass) will be added to the transcript.
Applications for testing out of a course may be obtained by contacting your counseling office and must be submitted by the posted deadline.
Students taking classes in Advanced Placement, Project Lead the Way, College-in-the-Schools/Concurrent Enrollment, have weighted grades using a 1.2 multiplier. The unweighted grade awarded in an UMTYMP (University of MN Talented Youth Math Program) course will be multiplied by a factor of 1.2.
