Q & A about MCA Math Test Resources
Q1: What can you do to help prepare students for the MCA?
Continue readingCategory: Research and Resources
OLPA Information and Resources
The Optional Local Purpose Assessment (OLPA) will be administered this school year for the last time. The testing window opens
Continue readingHappy New Year!
Over the summer I rediscovered the book Accessible Mathematics: 10 Instructional Shifts that Raise Student Achievement by Steven Leinwand. The lens is pointed to “engage, and focus on understanding and application.” (p.2) In this time of heightened awareness and action to engage all students and to be culturally responsive in our classrooms, it makes sense to integrate Leinwand’s shifts.
Continue readingHelpful Hints – Fill in the Blank Items on the MCA
All responses to fill in the blank (FIB) items are reviewed by a computer program/algorithm as well as math specialists. Over the years, similar mistakes have been noted on the MCA across items and grades.
Continue readingequiTABLE Talk
Equity in mathematics education in Minnesota is moving beyond rhetoric. We will meeting around the table to have conversations to fuel the movement.
Continue readingAnother Diversity Tool – Podcasts
As we strive to meet the learning needs of all students, especially students of color, I want to invite you join me as I eavesdrop on conversations I don’t normally hear in my white suburban world. I do my eavesdropping through two podcasts, Code Switch and Counter Stories.
Continue readingReading the MCA Reports
What do Partially Meets, Meets, and Exceeds mean on the Individual Student Reports (ISR)?
Continue readingRubik’s Cube Lending Program
The part that I want to share with you is they have a lending library of Rubik’s cubes. I signed up at the conference to have a set of 36 Rubik’s cubes sent to my district for me to use on loan.
Continue readingBenchmark Families
Fact Families show us how a group of numbers relates to each other. A student’s family teaches us more about how best to teach the student. The idea of families and relationships holds true for each of the Minnesota benchmarks as well.
Continue readingMCA Technology Enhanced Items In Action (videos)
Submitted by Angela Hochstetter and Ann Page (MDE Math Specialists)
Would you like to see some technology-enhanced items in action?