Under Elementary and Secondary Education Act Flexibility, (formerly No Child Left Behind) Minnesota developed an accountability system that is focused on closing the achievement gap and promoting high growth for all students. A Multiple Measurements Rating (MMR) is given to all schools in the state on an annual basis and measures school performance in the areas of proficiency, growth, achievement gap reduction and graduation rates. A second rating, the Focus Rating (FR), is also used to measure a school’s success in reducing achievement gaps between student groups.
In moving to the newly reauthorized Every Student Succeeds Act signed on December 10, 2015, federal guidance provides for a clear and orderly transition. Minnesota schools' MMR performance for the 2015-16 school year was released at the beginning of the 2016-17 school year, continuing as approved accountability system until a new system is in place. Minnesota's accountability system under ESSA will be developed over the course of the 2016-17.