My kid keeps saying they aren't going to even grade them this year because they're transitioning to another test but maybe she misunderstood.

I do not think they are used for placement. It's supposed to be a grade for the school. And this year Starr didn't even want to use the classroom time on the test. A teacher may know better, but I'd say "no."

Are the MSA results used to make any decisions prior to the school year, like placement decisions? My child has special needs and I don't want the MSA to affect his placements. HE said he did badly.

We received ours the last week in July

The results sometimes aren't sent out until the next school year. The students this year didn't get last year's results until October. Current teacher here

They're mailed to you in late sumer

Do parents get to see their kids' MSA test results?