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A message from the
Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education

January 19, 2022
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News from DESE Student Assessment Services

For All Schools

1. Spring 2022 MCAS SR/PNP Window Opens January 24
The Student Registration/Personal Needs Profile (SR/PNP) window for ordering materials for the spring 2022 grades 3–8 and 10 tests in ELA and Mathematics and grades 5 and 8 STE opens on January 24 and closes on February 4. To assist schools in completing the SR/PNP, on January 24 DESE will place files in DropBox Central in the MCAS 2022 Data folder, in the Department’s Security Portal (as appropriate for your school), named Spring2022_grade3-8_SRPNP_xxxx.csv and Spring2022_grade10_ELA_Math_SRPNP_xxxx.csv, (where the x’s refer to the school and district code). 

When using the file, please note the following:
  • Student enrollment and demographic data are current as of January 17, 2022 SIF. For non-SIF districts or districts that do not submit SIF data by that date, October 2021 SIMS will be used.
  • Accommodations are pre-populated for grades 4–8 with data from the spring 2021 SR/PNP file, but schools will need to review and update them as needed.
  • Accommodations for grade 10 ELA and Mathematics are pre-populated from the spring 2019 grade 7 tests in those subjects, but schools will need to review and update them as needed.
The following resources to help complete the SR/PNP are available: If you have questions about the SR/PNP process, you may contact the MCAS Service Center at mcas@cognia.org or 800-737-5103. If you have questions about policies, contact the Office of Student Assessment Services at mcas@doe.mass.edu or 781-338-3625.
 
High schools will have an additional registration window between April 4 and April 15 to register students for the June high school STE tests. High schools are also reminded that they must complete the SR/PNP process by January 31 to register students and order student test materials for the March retests. Please see this special edition Update for further information.
2. Infrastructure Trial Windows
The window for conducting an Infrastructure Trial for the March retest administration opens on Monday, January 24. The window for the grades 3–8 and 10 administrations opens on Monday, January 31.
 
An Infrastructure Trial is an opportunity for districts, schools, and students to prepare for MCAS computer-based testing (CBT) by simulating test-day network utilization. This “dress rehearsal” will help to confirm the following:
  • TestNav is configured correctly.
  • If precaching, the ProctorCache machine is properly configured to deliver test content to devices.
  • Devices can successfully run TestNav.
  • Participating staff know how to monitor and manage a computer-based MCAS test.
  • Students are familiar with the computer-based tools and format.
If your organization has previously successfully administered school-wide CBT, and you are able to confirm the five bulleted items above, your organization may not need to conduct an Infrastructure Trial.

If one or more items in this list cannot be confirmed, or if your technology setup has significantly changed since the last CBT administration (including using Bring Your Own Device for the first time), an Infrastructure Trial is recommended.

An updated version of  the Infrastructure Trial Readiness Guide will be available soon in the MCAS Resource Center to assist schools in their preparations for the spring MCAS administrations. The ProctorCache Recommendation and Best Practices for Computer-Based Testing documents are currently available to assist schools in their planning (click on the "PearsonAccess Next Guidance" dropdown to access these documents). Schools are also encouraged to register for the following trainings:
  • Overview of Infrastructure Trials for Technology Coordinators: Thursday, January 20 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
  • Overview of Infrastructure Trials for Principals and Test Coordinators: Thursday, January 20 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
3. Technology Support Prior to Computer-Based Testing
Technology coordinators are able to schedule one-on-one support from Pearson's support specialists (i.e., Field Services Engineering) prior to each test administration, beginning on January 24.  They may use this website to schedule “office hours” support for a 15-, 30-, or 60-minute phone meeting.

This is an opportunity for technology coordinators to receive support with the following:
  • Technology set-up and site readiness
  • Questions about TestNav
  • ProctorCache set-up
  • TestNav configurations in PearsonAccess Next
  • Infrastructure Trials (set-up as well as debriefing)
These "office hours" supplement the support provided by the MCAS Service Center (see contact information in the footer) and will only be available prior to test administration. During test administration, the MCAS Service Center will be available for real-time support.

Please share this information with your technology coordinators and staff.
4. Cybersecurity Information
DESE is encouraging schools and districts to review this cybersecurity planning document, which will soon be available on DESE's website, prior to the upcoming spring MCAS administrations, as some districts have reported cybersecurity incidents, and incidents are becoming more prevalent in general. Schools and districts should consider the information in the document as it relates to their technology infrastructure for MCAS testing and review the document and district plans with their district’s technology coordinator, and reach out to k12edtech@mass.gov with any questions.
5. Reminders from the Previous Update
a. PAN Passwords and Accounts: Confirm Accounts at this Time
School and district staff who had access to PAN during the previous school year should sign in to PAN to make sure their accounts are still active. If you are able to sign in to your account successfully, no further action is needed at this time. Please see the previous update for further details.  
 

b. Extended ACCESS for ELLs Schedule
In recognition of the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on schools and families, the Commissioner has extended the ACCESS for ELLs testing window through March 4, 2022, with return of test materials by March 8. Please see the updated testing schedule for details.
 

c. MCAS BYOD Participation: Notification Deadlines for Spring 2022
A “bring your own device” (BYOD) policy allows students to use their own devices for instruction. Schools with students who are using their own devices for instruction, and who would like to utilize these devices for MCAS testing in 2022, should email mcas@doe.mass.edu by the following deadlines for instructions on preparing devices:
  • March Retests: Monday, January 24, 2022
  • Spring Grades 3–8: Monday, January 31, 2022
  • Spring Grade 10: Monday, January 31, 2022
For Grades 3–8

1. Grade 8 Civics Practice Tests Now Available
Practice performance assessment tasks and end-of-course test questions from the grade 8 civics assessment pilot given in 2021 are now available at http://mcas.pearsonsupport.com/student/practice-tests-hss/.
 
DESE is also recruiting schools to participate in the 2022 grade 8 civics assessment pilot. The administration window for the local- and state-level performance tasks will be March 14–April 29, 2022, and the administration window for the end-of-course test will be May 23–June 10, 2022. If your school is interested in participating, please complete the brief online form by FridayJanuary 28. Please see the January 10 Special Edition Update for further information.
For High Schools

1. Final Opportunity for Grade 12 Students to Participate in MCAS Tests for Scholarship Purposes
In recognition of 2021 being a disrupted school year, DESE is permitting students in the classes of 2022 and 2023 to participate in the March 2022 MCAS retests for scholarship purposes. All students attempting to qualify for the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship and/or the Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery must have MCAS scores in ELA and Mathematics. (As a reminder, students in the class of 2022 were eligible for a modified Competency Determination, and many students did not participate in grade 10 ELA and Mathematics testing). Please note that the March retest is the final opportunity for students in the class of 2022 (current seniors) to participate in MCAS testing for scholarship purposes. Please refer to the Participation Guidelines for the March 2022 MCAS Retests and the Participation Guidelines for the Spring 2022 MCAS Grade 10 Tests for additional guidance. (The documents are attached to this Student Assessment Update, and will soon be posted on the Department’s website.)

The following pages have details for each award: Schools are encouraged to consult with grade 12 students and their parents, to determine if the students are interested and eligible to participate in the March retests to attempt to qualify for scholarships. Students will need to be added to the SR/PNP by January 31 (or schools can add students during the extended window for CBT, and order additional PBT materials if needed). 

Other Important Dates

Table with Category, Date(s), and Item. February Biology Administration, January 26, Receive test materials. January 26–31, If necessary, order additional manuals and test materials, and report packing discrepancies. February 2, Biology Session 1. February 3, Biology Session 2. ACCESS for ELLs, December 2–March 4, WIDA AMS test setup. January 4–February 25, Order additional materials, if necessary. January 6–March 4, ACCESS for ELLs test sessions. March 2022 Retests, January 18–31, Complete the pre-administration SR/PNP process. January 24–March 2, Review Best Practices document, and if recommended, download ProctorCache software and conduct an Infrastructure Trial (both suggested in certain circumstances). Spring Grades 3–8, January 24–February 4, Complete the pre-administration SR/PNP process. January 31–March 14, Review Best Practices document, and if recommended, download ProctorCache software and conduct an Infrastructure Trial (both suggested in certain circumstances). Spring Grade 10 ELA and Mathematics, January 24–February 4, Complete the pre-administration SR/PNP process. January 31–March 8, Review Best Practices document, and if recommended, download ProctorCache software and conduct an Infrastructure Trial (both suggested in certain circumstances).
Additional Resources
CONTACT
MCAS Service Center
for logistical support, including tech support for PearsonAccess Next and TestNav

Email: mcas@cognia.org
Phone: 800-737-5103
Student Assessment Services
for policy questions, including student participation

Email: mcas@doe.mass.edu
Phone: 781-338-3625
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