Educational Professionals
February 18, 2026
As we continue our transition to the 2022 Minnesota Academic Standards in Mathematics, this year offers an important opportunity to deepen our understanding of the standards while thoughtfully preparing students for the upcoming MCA assessments. Below is an overview of key updates and practical next steps to support your work.
What’s New in the 2022 Math Standards?
The 2022 standards place a strong emphasis on rigor by balancing conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and application, while embedding the mathematical practices directly within the content. There is also a stronger focus on reasoning and real-world contexts, ensuring students are not only performing procedures but making sense of mathematics in meaningful ways.
K-2 Math Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs): Available Now
The K-2 Math PLDs are already available and were designed specifically with young learners in mind. They outline clear, developmentally grounded learning progressions from Emerging to Developing and Meeting that help teachers understand how students move toward grade-level standards.
Aligned with Minnesota’s ECIPs, this resource breaks down foundational skills into flexible examples that support instructional planning and meaningful individualization. The K-2 PLDs help teachers identify where students are along a progression, plan responsive instruction, differentiate with intention, and nurture early mathematical identity and confidence. In many ways, they serve as a bridge between early learning guidance and grade-level expectations, strengthening coherence across the system.
Performance Level Descriptors for Grades 3-High School (Coming in 2029)
Grades 3-High School Math PLDs are currently in development and are scheduled for release in 2029. These descriptors are intended to promote equity across the state by clarifying expected learning outcomes for instruction and local assessment of the Minnesota Academic Standards. They will also support teachers in analyzing the depth of their curriculum, instruction, and classroom assessments.
Until those updated PLDs are released, the 2007 Mathematics Benchmark Achievement Level Descriptors (BALDs) remain a valuable resource. They can help teams examine the cognitive demand of benchmarks, clarify expectations, and reflect on whether classroom tasks and assessments match the intended rigor of the standards.
Preparing for the MCA
As MCA testing approaches, every Minnesota math educator is encouraged to take a few intentional steps before administering the assessment.
First, revisit the Online Student Readiness Tools (SRTs) Guide for Educators. Even a brief review can increase your understanding of the available tools and features students will encounter.
Next, engage in at least one grade-level online SRT as if you were a student. Pay attention to the item types, the digital tools available, the structure and language of the questions, and the level of reasoning required. Experiencing the tools firsthand helps ensure that classroom tasks reflect similar expectations for depth and format.
Finally, encourage students to explore the SRTs prior to testing. Familiarity with the platform reduces anxiety, builds confidence with digital tools, and strengthens problem-solving stamina. This work is not about “teaching to the test,” but about ensuring students are comfortable demonstrating what they know.
New 2022 Math Standards Resources
Have you checked the Minnesota Department of Education Math Implementation page lately? New resources are being added regularly, and more are on the way. Recently uploaded learning progression documents provide helpful insight into how concepts develop across grade bands. These tools are especially valuable for vertical alignment conversations, identifying prerequisite knowledge and future expectations, and strengthening intervention and enrichment planning. It is worth revisiting the page periodically as additional materials continue to roll out.
A Final Thought
As we move toward full implementation of the 2022 standards, our collective focus remains the same: ensuring every student experiences high-quality mathematics instruction that develops deep understanding, procedural fluency grounded in meaning, and the ability to apply mathematics in authentic ways.
Thoughtful use of BALDs, engagement with SRTs, and ongoing review of new implementation resources are small but powerful steps toward that goal. Together, we can continue to build coherence, clarity, and confidence for both ourselves and our students.
As always, your Math Team at Resource Training and Solutions is here to help. Please reach out to Mindy Strom, Regional Math Lead, for support. mstrom@resourcecoop-mn.gov.