2026-2027 School Year Updates
Release notes outline upcoming customer-impacting changes that are expected to be displayed in production environments. Please note that features considered for future development are not included in the notes.
New Features
Product Expansion
MPA Expansion to 40 states
Affected User Roles | District Administrators, School Admins, Curriculum Specialists, and Teachers |
|---|
Affects User Interface | No |
Affected Areas | Mastery Predictive Assessments, State Assessments |
Affected States | AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, GA, HI, ID, IL, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, and WY. |
Summary
Mastery Predictive Assessments are now available in 40 states for the 2026-2027 school year, expanding from the original seven states. Districts across the nation can now access research-backed benchmark assessments to help predict student performance on state end-of-year exams. With strong predictive correlations and classification accuracy in identifying student proficiency, the Mastery Predictive Assessments provide educators a reliable early signal of how students are likely to perform on the state assessment—so they can intervene sooner and target instruction where it matters most. Grade and course availability varies by state and is available across ELA, Math, Science, and in some cases Social Studies. Check for grade and course availability at Instructure Mastery Assessments.
Change Benefit
- Increased Availability: Mastery Predictive Assessments are now available to significantly more districts across the United States.
- Research-Backed Predictions: High accuracy in predicting state test performance.
Item Analysis
District Item Response Export
Summary
A new item-level export provides a CSV and TXT file containing each student's response to every question on an individual test. This gives district data teams an immediate starting point for item-level analysis without a manual data request.
Change Benefit
- Detailed Analysis: Item-level data for granular investigation.
- Efficiency: Immediate availability without data requests.
Reports and Assessments
Aggregated Cut Score Export
Summary
A new automated export lists percent-correct and scale score thresholds for every performance level across all tests in a given administration. This makes results easier to interpret by showing exactly how raw scores translate into performance categories.
Change Benefit
- Clarity: Clear score-to-level mappings for all assessments.
- Consistency: Standardized interpretation across the district.
Updated Features
Mastery Predictive Assessment Annual Updates for State Alignment and Accuracy
Assessment 1 and 2 Checklists Enhanced to Support Balanced Assessment
Affected User Roles | District Administrators, School Admins, & Curriculum Specialists |
|---|
Affects User Interface | Yes |
Affected Areas | Assessment Design & Standard Selection |
Affected States | All states excluding MS, TN, and NC |
Summary
Balanced assessment recommendations are now enforced during checklist selection. The system requires a specific number of modules to build a balanced assessment, and the checklists now support that recommendation.
Change Benefit
- Quality Assurance: Ensures assessments meet best practices for balanced coverage.
- Simplified Selection: Clear guidance during the checklist process reduces decision complexity.
Validated Items Now Prioritized on All Assessments
Affected User Roles | District Administrators, School Admins, Curriculum Specialists, & Teachers |
|---|
Affects User Interface | Yes |
Affected Areas | Assessment Design & Predictive Validity |
Affected States | All States |
Summary
To strengthen the predictive accuracy of the assessments, validated items are now prioritized. Validated items are questions that have been previously administered and analyzed using student performance data. Items with established statistics related to difficulty, reliability, and performance help ensure accurate measurement of student mastery.
Change Benefit
- Improved Accuracy: Validated items strengthen predictive power of assessments.
- Better Data: Established item statistics provide more reliable measurement of learning.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pdaxtK-LhnuSzKtLAy2VJGgN401YbYbk/view?usp=drive_link
ELA Module-level Customization
Affected User Roles | District Administrators, School Admins, & Curriculum Specialists |
|---|
Affects User Interface | Yes |
Affected Areas | Assessment Design & Standard Selection |
Affected States | All states excluding MS, TN, and NC |
Summary
To better support strong alignment with districts scope and sequence, all districts have the option to select their own pacing for ELA Assessment 1 and 2. All customers must now complete a checklist for their ELA assessments to ensure customization matching other subjects. Districts can customize their ELA Assessments by strand and genre.
Change Benefit
- Consistent Customization: ELA now supports the flexibility available for Math, Science, and Social Studies.
- Alignment Support: Ensures ELA assessments align to the way curriculum is taught in the classroom
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wo43YNcaOYcJApFTazZ-W4WVUpAciLj3/view?usp=drive_link
Modular Customization
Affected User Roles | District Administrators, School Admins, Curriculum Specialists, & Teachers |
|---|
Affects User Interface | Yes |
Affected Areas | Assessment Design, Standards Alignment, Customization |
Affected States | Available in all states |
Summary
Customers in all states now have the option to customize Assessments 1 and 2 using modules, or groups of related standards. This improves assessment comparability and provides a more stable measure of growth over time. Assessing related standards together delivers more reliable, actionable data for educators.
Change Benefit
- More Meaningful Measurement: Modules group related standards so students are assessed on connected skills and concepts rather than isolated standards.
- More Reliable Longitudinal Data: Consistent module groupings create a more stable measure of student performance and progress across assessments.
- Clearer Instructional Insights: Results show how students are performing across a meaningful set of related standards, helping educators identify strengths and prioritize instruction.
- Flexible to Local Needs: Districts can select the modules that best fit their scope and sequence while maintaining the comparability needed for reliable assessment results.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ipJogR_7AhJpKX225lUL-kuf-muFV-Vz/view?usp=drive_link
Updated Writing Prompts
Affected User Roles | District Administrators, School Admins, Curriculum Specialists, Teachers, & Students |
|---|
Affects User Interface | Yes |
Affected Areas | ELA, Writing Assessment, Item Content |
Affected States | MS |
Summary
The structure of the 2026-2027 MPA writing prompts will mirror the new MAAP format, including revised prompt structures and shorter passages. At the beginning of the year, districts receive four cold reads in each writing mode: narrative, informational nonfiction, informational literary, and opinion/argument. An in platform writers checklist is not available at this time, but is part of the long term roadmap.
Change Benefit
- Format Alignment: Prompts match the state test format for better preparation.
- Flexibility: Four cold reads allow districts to choose based on instructional timing.
Updated Passage Counts
Affected User Roles | District Administrators, School Admins, Curriculum Specialists, Teachers, & Students |
|---|
Affects User Interface | Yes |
Affected Areas | Assessment Structure, Test Duration, Instructional Impact |
Affected States | All states |
Summary
ELA Benchmark assessments are redesigned to reduce instructional disruption while maintaining rigor. Fewer questions and passages provide a more manageable testing experience while still giving students enough text to demonstrate close reading, comprehension, and standards mastery.
Change Benefit
- Reduced Burden: Less time away from instruction.
- Manageable Testing: Focused assessments that still measure meaningful learning.
- Assessment 1 and 2 will contain 3 passages while the Final Comprehensive will contain 4
Expanded Item Types on Assessments 1 and 2
Affected User Roles | District Administrators, School Admins, Curriculum Specialists, Teachers, & Students |
|---|
Affects User Interface | Yes |
Affected Areas | Assessment Design, Item Types, Digital Readiness |
Affected States | All States |
Summary
Assessments 1 and 2 now include a range of technology-enhanced item types to build student familiarity, confidence, and digital readiness while still measuring targeted standards. The Final Comprehensive stays tightly aligned to the state blueprint.
Change Benefit
- Digital Readiness: Students gain experience with technology-enhanced items.
- Predictive Validity: Final Comprehensive tightly aligned to state blueprint for strongest prediction.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FK7X0NQkQ1TCfJFuBc_luY1DvMIJ0Q9M/view?usp=drive_link
Accessibility Updates (WCAG 2.1 AA)
Affected User Roles | All Users, Students with Disabilities, Teachers, Administrators |
|---|
Affects User Interface | Yes |
Affected Areas | Assessments, Accessibility, WCAG Compliance |
Affected States | All MPA states |
Summary
MPA content is being updated to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards for 2026-27, including improved color contrast, added alt text, and revised item wording to remove directional or color-dependent language. These changes ensure all students can access assessments equitably.
Change Benefit
- Equity: All students can access assessments.
- Compliance: Meets WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Uom_6i8GDLJAAiJBRvk39YH95oiuvYBU/view?usp=drive_link
Kentucky: Final Comps Only Available in Gr 11 Science and Social Studies
Affected User Roles | District Administrators, School Admins, Curriculum Specialists, Teachers, & Students |
|---|
Affects User Interface | Yes |
Affected Areas | Kentucky Assessments, Multi-Course Standards, High School |
Affected States | KY |
Summary
In Kentucky, the Grade 11 Science and Social Studies state assessments measure standards from multiple high school courses. Because high schools have flexibility in course sequencing, Grade 11 students may be enrolled in different courses depending on their school or district. As a result we provide a single final comprehensive assessment spanning multiple courses, but do not provide a non-state tested course assessment.
Change Benefit
- Flexibility: Assessments accommodate variable course sequencing.
- Accuracy: Final Comprehensive available only where state assessments exist.
Mississippi: US History No Longer an Available Test for the Mastery Predictive Assessments
Affected User Roles | District Administrators, School Admins, Curriculum Specialists, Teachers, & Students |
|---|
Affects User Interface | Yes |
Affected Areas | Social Studies, Assessment Availability, State Changes |
Affected States | MS |
Summary
US History is no longer state tested in Mississippi, and as a result is not supported as a Predictive Assessment.
Change Benefit
- Alignment: Assessments now reflect current state testing priorities.
Tennessee: Grade 3-5 Social Studies No Longer an Available Test for the Mastery Predictive Assessments
Affected User Roles | District Administrators, School Admins, Curriculum Specialists, Teachers, & Students |
|---|
Affects User Interface | Yes |
Affected Areas | Social Studies, Elementary, Assessment Availability |
Affected States | TN |
Summary
Grade 3-5 Social Studies are no longer state tested in Tennessee, and as a result are not supported as a Predictive Assessment.
Change Benefit
- Alignment: Assessments now reflect current state testing priorities.
Louisiana: English I No Longer an Available Test for the Mastery Predictive Assessments
Affected User Roles | District Administrators, School Admins, Curriculum Specialists, Teachers, & Students |
|---|
Affects User Interface | Yes |
Affected Areas | ELA, High School, Assessment Availability |
Affected States | LA |
Summary
English I is no longer state tested in Louisiana, and as a result is not supported as a Predictive Assessment.
Change Benefit
- Alignment: Assessments now reflect current state testing priorities.
Kentucky: Editing and Mechanics No Longer an Available Test for the Mastery Predictive Assessments
Affected User Roles | District Administrators, School Admins, Curriculum Specialists, Teachers, & Students |
|---|
Affects User Interface | Yes |
Affected Areas | ELA, Assessment Availability, State Changes |
Affected States | KY |
Summary
Editing and Mechanics is no longer state tested in Kentucky, and as a result is not supported as a Predictive Assessment.
Change Benefit
- Alignment: Assessments now reflect current state testing priorities.
State Test Equivalent Scale Scores now Available on MPA Reports
Affected User Roles | District Administrators, School Admins, Curriculum Specialists, Data Teams, & Teachers |
|---|
Affects User Interface | Yes |
Affected Areas | Reporting, Scale Scores, Score Interpretation |
Affected States | KY, LA, MO, NC |
Summary
MPA reports now include State Test Equivalent Scale Scores, providing educators with a clearer connection between benchmark performance and expected state assessment outcomes. This enhancement makes results easier to interpret and supports more informed conversations.
Change Benefit
- Clarity: Direct connection between benchmark and state test performance.
- Communication: Better conversations with students, families, and leaders.
Consistent Reporting Categories Now Available Across all Predictive Assessments
Affected User Roles | District Administrators, School Admins, Curriculum Specialists, Data Teams, & Teachers |
|---|
Affects User Interface | Yes |
Affected Areas | Reporting, Standards Alignment, Consistency |
Affected States | All MPA states |
Summary
Predictive Assessment reporting now uses standardized reporting categories across grades and subjects. Reports align to clearly defined state specific categories: ELA by Strand/Genre, Math by Cluster, Science by Core Idea, and Social Studies by Unit. This creates a more consistent and comparable experience.
Change Benefit
- Consistency: Standardized categories across all subjects.
- Comparability: Easier cross-subject performance comparison.
- Insights: Module-based organization supports meaningful instructional decisions.
Automated Generation of Downloadable Reports
Affected User Roles | District Administrators, School Admins, Curriculum Specialists, Data Teams, & Teachers |
|---|
Affects User Interface | Yes |
Affected Areas | Reporting, Data Export, Assessment Results |
Affected States | All States |
Summary
Reporting now includes the automated kick-off of scoring when a testing window closes, eliminating the need to contact support for report requests. Scoring and scaling begins automatically when you close your testing window. Reports are available within 3 business days. Districts can manage their own testing windows -extending or closing them at will to determine when our reporting processes begin.
Change Benefit
- Efficiency: No manual requests needed.
- Timeliness: Reports ready immediately when the window closes.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C7kNmOoDMCvECuVOtqagjO_7X3bh81Xo/view?usp=drive_link
Aggregated District Data Export
Summary
A new district-level data export provides a high-level summary of performance across all MPA assessments in a given administration. The file is analysis-ready and can be imported into third-party systems or data warehouses.
Change Benefit
- Integration: Easily import into data warehouses or analysis tools.
- Analysis-Ready: No preprocessing needed to begin analysis.
Individual Student Report Improvements
Affected User Roles | District Administrators, School Admins, Data Teams, Teachers, Students, & Families |
|---|
Affects User Interface | Yes |
Affected Areas | Mastery Predictive Assessment Reports |
Affected States | All MPA states |
Resources | Coming Soon |
Summary
Individual Student Reports (ISRs) are now included at no additional cost as part of the MPA subscription. These enhanced reports provide teachers, students, and families with a clear view of each student’s predicted performance on state tests and progress toward learning goals. With opportunities for student reflection and clear, actionable next steps for educators and families, the reports are designed to be easy to understand and turn assessment results into meaningful action.
Change Benefit
- Family Engagement: Clear reports for parent conversations.
- Instructional Planning: Actionable insights for next steps.
New Standards Detail Exports
Summary
A new downloadable Standards Detail export is now available for all subjects, providing educators with a more detailed view of student performance at the individual standard level. The report shows the number of points a student earned out of the total points possible for each standard, helping educators identify specific areas of strength and opportunities for additional support.
The report is designed to provide meaningful standards-level detail while following research-based assessment practices. When there are not enough items to support a meaningful performance classification for a standard, the report provides the underlying performance data rather than assigning a performance level. This gives educators greater insight while keeping the results appropriately grounded in the amount of information available.
Change Benefits
- More Granular: See student performance at the individual standard level.
- More Actionable: Use detailed results to identify areas for targeted instruction and support.
- Research-Based: Provides standards-level data while appropriately considering the amount of assessment information available.
Mastery Predictive Assessment District Managed Calculator Configuration
Calculator Set-Up
Affected User Roles | District Administrators, School Admins, Curriculum Specialists, Teachers, & Students |
|---|
Affects User Interface | Yes |
Affected Areas | Test Administration, Calculator Settings, State Alignment |
Affected States | All states |
Summary
Calculator settings need to be configured by the district before students begin testing. At the beginning of the school year, guidance will be provided for enabling calculators in a way that matches your state test. This step must be completed before testing begins.
Change Benefit
- Accuracy: Calculator configuration matching state tests ensures predictive validity.
- Preparation: Students practice with the same tools they'll use on state assessments.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RjCxmfUXbrPhaa7A2y-ctcuE-gdHSeV5/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=118013843117763089936&rtpof=true&sd=true
