Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS)
Overview
The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) is designed to meet the requirements of the Education Reform Law of 1993. This law specifies that the testing program must
As required by the Education Reform Law, students must pass the grade 10 tests in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics and one of the four high school Science and Technology Engineering tests as one condition of eligibility for a high school diploma (in addition to fulfilling local requirements).
In addition, the MCAS program is used to hold schools and districts accountable, on a yearly basis, for the progress they have made toward the objective of the No Child Left Behind Law that all students be proficient in Reading and Mathematics by 2014.
- test all public school students in Massachusetts, including students with disabilities and English Language Learner students;
- measure performance based on the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework learning standards;
- report on the performance of individual students, schools, and districts.
As required by the Education Reform Law, students must pass the grade 10 tests in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics and one of the four high school Science and Technology Engineering tests as one condition of eligibility for a high school diploma (in addition to fulfilling local requirements).
In addition, the MCAS program is used to hold schools and districts accountable, on a yearly basis, for the progress they have made toward the objective of the No Child Left Behind Law that all students be proficient in Reading and Mathematics by 2014.
Test Design and Development
The MCAS test development process, from the selection of the learning standards that are included in each test to the development of test items (questions) to the production of test booklets, is designed to ensure that test results are valid and reliable. Items undergo extensive review and field testing before they become common items. The item development cycle, from the beginning of item development to the inclusion of an item as a common item on an MCAS test, generally takes two to three years.
Computer Based Testing
The Next-Generation MCAS builds upon the best aspects of the MCAS assessments that have served the Commonwealth well for the past two decades. The test includes innovative items developed by PARCC, along with new items specifically created to assess the Massachusetts learning standards.
The new MCAS is designed to be taken on a computer. The plan is to phase in computer-based testing so that computer-based tests are fully administered statewide in 2019, with many students participating as well in 2017 and 2018.
Below is a test tutorial, this tutorial should be used to familiarize students with how to navigate the TestNav 8 computer-based environment (advancing, going back, tool bar, embedded supports and accommodations).
The new MCAS is designed to be taken on a computer. The plan is to phase in computer-based testing so that computer-based tests are fully administered statewide in 2019, with many students participating as well in 2017 and 2018.
Below is a test tutorial, this tutorial should be used to familiarize students with how to navigate the TestNav 8 computer-based environment (advancing, going back, tool bar, embedded supports and accommodations).
Online-Based Practice Tests
A practice test for each grade and test subject are available for you to use to familiarize yourself and your mentee with the new computer based testing.
Feel free to being computers to sessions to practice online tests.
Online tests provide answers for multiple choice questions. Short answers and essay questions are a good opportunity for you to practice and review essay skills, punctuation and language with your mentee.
Feel free to being computers to sessions to practice online tests.
Online tests provide answers for multiple choice questions. Short answers and essay questions are a good opportunity for you to practice and review essay skills, punctuation and language with your mentee.
Paper-Based Practice Tests
Certain subjects can only be done in paper-based versions. You can print tests out ahead of time and practice them at sessions with your mentees.