Minnesota test participation drops as opt-out rates triple since 2019

A new report finds that Minnesota’s standardized test participation has sharply declined, with student opt‑out rates tripling since 2019. By 2025, about one in nine 10th‑grade reading tests failed to meet the federal 95% participation threshold, and 40% of reading assessments statewide fell below the standard. Some districts, such as Farmington High School and Menahga High School, reported near‑60% non‑participation among 10th‑ and 8th‑grade students.

The decline is seen across suburban, rural and urban schools, as well as charter and special‑education institutions. For math assessments, opt‑out or absentee rates approach 75%. Researchers from North Star Policy Action and the University of Minnesota warn that the reduced participation undermines confidence in test scores used to evaluate school performance, noting that the missing data could bias reported proficiency either upward or downward depending on which students are absent. The federal government requires at least 95% participation for the results to be considered reliable, prompting calls for a reassessment of the statewide testing regime.