The Minnesota Department of Education has chosen to delay implementation of the new state academic standards in Science and Language Arts by one year until the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years, respectively. The Department cited a goal of providing schools flexibility as the state emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic. MDE stated that their authority allowed in the rulemaking process allows for this delay.
The planned update to the state’s standardized tests, the MCA-IV will also be delayed a year. The new Science test for grades five, eight, and high school will be administered for the first time in the spring of 2026. The Reading MCA-IV for grades three through eight and high school will be delayed until spring of 2026.
The new state standards in the Arts and Phy Ed will move forward with implementation on their current timeline. There is however legislation currently being considered to delay the implementation of those standards as well. The legislature must adjourn by May 17.