About MDE
Important Information on Law Requiring MCA Scores Be Used for Course Placement
Superintendents, charter directors and high school principals please take note! Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments scores will soon be used in determining course placement at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. A student’s MCA score could potentially save them significant money by demonstrating that they do not need to take non-credit bearing developmental courses. Read full announcement and share this information with staff so they are aware of this new law and its potential benefits.
For additional information or questions about this, please contact mde.testing@state.mn.us.
Mathematics Career and College Readiness (CCR) and Use of High School MCA Scores by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.30 indicates that Minnesota State Colleges and Universities may use high school MCA reading and mathematics scores to assist in determining course enrollment by the 2018-2019 school year.
An analysis has been conducted by Minnesota State to identify the scores to be used.
The table below shows the course type and scores identified by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
Intended Course of Enrollment (or equivalent) |
Enrollment in Developmental Course Unless Additional Information Indicates Otherwise |
Need More Information on Readiness |
Enrollment in College Level Course |
College Algebra |
1151 and below |
1152-1157 |
1158 and above |
Statistics |
1145 and below |
1146-1147 |
1148 and above |
Other mathematics |
1145 and below |
1146-1149 |
1150 and above |
Reading Intensive |
1041 and below |
1042-1046 |
1047 and above |
To support districts in this monitoring, student progress scores for grades 3–8 and student career and college readiness (CCR) scores for grades 10 and 11 are provided for reading and mathematics on Individual Student Reports (ISRs) and District and School Student Results (DSR and SSR) files. Goal scores have been established for both student progress scores and student CCR scores to compare whether students are on track to pass a college entrance exam by the end of grade 11.
MDE will continue to include a high school Career and College Readiness Score for grade 10 reading and grade 11 mathematics MCA. A student whose MCA score is at or above the Career and College Readiness Score is on track to demonstrate career and college readiness in reading or mathematics on a college admissions test at the end of grade 11.
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