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Board moves March 31, 2026 to in‑person high‑school instructional day for MCA testing
Summary
The board approved a calendar modification to make March 31, 2026 an in‑person day for grades 9–12 so high schools can administer MCAs and the Seal of Biliteracy during class periods; the district plans adaptive bell schedules and has a plan for online students to test at designated sites.
The South Washington County Schools board approved a modification to the 2025–26 school calendar to change March 31, 2026 from an asynchronous day to an in‑person instructional day for grades 9–12 so high schools may administer Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) and the Seal of Biliteracy during school hours.
Assistant Superintendent Christine Schafer told the board the state-designated testing day includes 10th‑grade reading and 11th‑grade math MCAs as well as Seal of Biliteracy testing for grades 11 and 12. She said the change allows schools to use adaptive bell schedules so required testing can be administered in courses that all students already attend — for example, 10th graders could take the reading MCA during English Language Arts and 11th graders could take math during U.S. history.
Board member Ryan Clark asked how the district will handle online students. Christine Schafer responded that Principal Faldi will designate a specific location and “he'll rent out a space and he'll bring them all together” and that students are expected to get themselves there; she added, “If they can't get there, we will figure out how to get them there.” The board approved the calendar change by voice vote.
The action is intended to improve participation in statewide assessments and maintain instruction time for students in grades 9–12 on that date.
