Dear District Leaders, Educators, and Community Stakeholders:
This is our final regular edition of the next-generation MCAS monthly update. We will provide periodic updates as needed on important developments concerning the assessment, including policy decisions on the high school testing program.
Please share this update with your professional network, and encourage individuals to register to receive future updates.
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Update on the next-generation MCAS high school assessment program
- In September, ESE staff presented next-generation MCAS high school testing recommendations to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, highlighting that the transition from the legacy assessments must be fair and provide adequate notice of the passing standard for students. Massachusetts public school students must pass the high school MCAS assessment in English language arts (ELA), mathematics, and science to earn a high school diploma. In early 2018, the Board will vote on an interim passing standard for the first two years of the new high school assessments in ELA and mathematics. The interim standard would be what today's ninth graders would have to meet when they become the first class to take the next-generation tests in ELA and mathematics in spring 2019. (Today's eighth graders would have to meet the same standard as today’s ninth graders when they take the next-generation tests as tenth graders in spring 2020.)
- Before the Board takes that vote, they are seeking public comment on the proposed changes to the MCAS graduation requirement regulations, called the Competency Determination. Comments should be submitted to Judy Marcella in the Student Assessment Office at mcas@doe.mass.edu by Friday, January 19, 2018. The Board is expected to vote on the proposed amendments in February 2018.
- Department staff will separately develop a similar transition plan for the next-generation version of the high school science and technology/engineering tests, which are scheduled to be given for the first time in 2020.
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Feedback needed on new 2018 school and district report card
- In 2018, ESE plans to redesign school and district report cards, and we are looking for your input to help us with this work. The federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires that states publish an annual report card for each school and district in the state. Report cards help families, teachers, and community members understand how the school or district as a whole is doing on a wide variety of measures. We want to make sure that the information most important to you is easy to access on the report cards. The survey will remain open until Friday, January 12, 2018.
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