MSG 1: Educational Functioning Level (EFL) Gains

Updated 7/8/2026

Federal NRS guidelines allow programs to report Measurable Skill Gains (MSGs). This article describes how to record the different measures that prove students made an MSG 1: Educational Functioning Level (EFL) gain.

For a detailed explanation of these MSGs, see the MDE's Accountability Performance Measures page. Click the Adult Education Primary Indicators of Performance link to download a pdf.

• MSG 1a: Comparing a participant’s NRS-approved pretest with their posttest
• MSG 1b: Awarding Carnegie Units or credits in an adult high school program
• MSG 1c: Enrollment in postsecondary education or training after exit
• MSG 1d: Passing a single subject High School Equivalency (HSE) assessment

MSG 1a: Comparing a participant’s NRS-approved pretest with the participant’s posttest

Record student tests in SiD using the form on the Students>Assessment or Classes>Assessment screen. SiD will automatically calculate level gains based on a comparison of pre- and post-test scores. These level gains will appear on the SiD Level Gains, MSGs, and Post-test Rates report as MSG 1a.

Check the MnABE Assessment Policy to see which NRS assessments are currently approved for MN Adult Education programs for EFL gains.

MSG 1b: Awarding Carnegie Units or credits in an adult high school program

• Local High School Diploma Program (credit completion/recovery)

When a student earns enough credits or Carnegie Units to progress from below 11th grade level to 11th grade level, create a new history item on the student's SiD record.

1. In SiD, go to Students > History and create a new history item.
2. Effective Date: Enter the date (within the program year) that the student earned enough credits or Carnegie Units to reach 11th grade level.
3. History Group: Select Goal - NRS Primary
4. History Item: Select Progress to 11th grade level in a local diploma program (MSG)
5. Status: Select MET (Important!)
6. Click Save

• Standard Adult High School Diploma Program

No manual entry is required. SiD automatically applies this MSG when the student uses Adult Education instruction to pass 2 of the 4 academic domains, according to the requirements in the MDE ABE Primary Indicators of Performance document

MSG 1c: Enrollment in postsecondary education or training after exit

This MSG is calculated by a data match between SiD records and MN State postsecondary data. This MSG does not appear on the SiD Level Gains, MSGs, and Post-test Rates report.

MSG 1d: Passing a single subject High School Equivalency (HSE) assessment

In Minnesota, GED and HiSET are the two approved HSE assessments.

Record GED and HiSET test scores in SiD using the form on the Students>Assessment or Classes>Assessment screen. A passing score on a single subject test will automatically count as MSG 1d on the SiD Level Gains, MSGs, and Post-test Rates report.