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News from DESE Student Assessment Services
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For All Schools
1. Updates to TestNav and PearsonAccess Next
Several updates to TestNav and PearsonAccess Next (PAN) are being implemented, beginning with the special high school January ELA and Mathematics administration. Please note the following updates in particular:
- Text-to-Speech settings: In the text-to-speech settings, rewind and fast-forward buttons are now available.
- Network Check feature: Technology Coordinators can now check their network performance within TestNav to gain a better understanding of the number of students able to test on the network at the same time.
- Printing testing tickets: Users now have multiple print options when printing testing tickets from the Sessions page in PAN.
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2. ACCESS for ELLs Test Coordinator Training Webinars
Registration for the ACCESS for ELLs Test Coordinator Training webinars is now available. Each district may register a limited number of participants. Once that district’s limit has been reached, the district name will no longer appear in the dropdown menu. Once the session is full, registration for that session will be closed. Test Coordinators who cannot register for a session should contact their District Test Coordinator. If additional sessions are needed, the District Test Coordinator should contact access@mass.gov for assistance. Later this month, the Department will post the PowerPoint slides for the webinar on the Massachusetts state page on the WIDA website (click on the “+” next to the “Manuals, Guides and Workshops” dropdown menu). Prior to attending a webinar, new Test Coordinators must take the online training(s) in the WIDA Secure Portal for the tests they will administer.
The dates for the webinars are as follows:
- Monday, November 16, at 1:00–2:30 p.m. (Returning Test Coordinators)
- Thursday, November 19, at 1:00–2:30 p.m. (New Test Coordinators)
- Thursday, December 3, at 10:00–11:30 a.m. (New Test Coordinators)
- Tuesday, December 8, at 10:00–11:30 a.m. (Returning Test Coordinators)
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3. Reminder from the Previous Update: Winter 2021 Statewide Testing Schedule
The MCAS testing schedule for January–February 2021 is now available, including registration dates and administration deadlines, as well as the ACCESS for ELLs testing schedule and the submission deadline for the MCAS Alternate Assessment (MCAS-Alt). Districts and schools should review the schedule and contact mcas@doe.mass.edu with any concerns. The schedule for spring 2021 MCAS will be provided in a later update.
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For High Schools
1. PearsonAccess Next Passwords and Accounts: Confirm Accounts at This Time
School and district staff who had access to PearsonAccess Next (PAN) during the previous school year should log into PAN to make sure their accounts are still active. If you are able to log into your account successfully, no further action is needed at this time. Accounts that were disabled will receive an error message upon log-in; resetting the password will enable the account. Please contact the MCAS Service Center with any questions (see contact information in the footer of this update).
In addition, principals should review the User Role Matrix to confirm that school and district staff have the appropriate PAN accounts. Principals should designate a member of their team to add/remove accounts for the winter 2021 test administration team. This task can be done manually or by uploading a file (the latter is best for creating large numbers of new accounts). For support, refer to the Guide to Managing Users in PearsonAccess Next. Contact the MCAS Service Center with questions.
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2. Infrastructure Trial Window for the January Administration Opens Monday, November 16
The window for conducting an Infrastructure Trial for the special high school January administration opens on Monday, November 16.
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.
For the January administration, if your organization has successfully administered school-wide computer-based testing in the past, and you are able to confirm the five bulleted items on the list above, your organization may not need to conduct an Infrastructure Trial.
If one or more items on the bulleted list above cannot be confirmed, or if your technology setup has significantly changed since the last CBT administration (including schools that will be using Bring Your Own Device for the first time), an Infrastructure Trial is recommended.
The Infrastructure Trial Guide and Best Practices for MCAS Computer-Based Testing will be available soon in the MCAS Resource Center to assist schools in their preparations for the January MCAS administration.
New for 2021: We recommend that all schools utilize the new Network Check feature within TestNav to determine whether ProctorCache is needed. The ProctorCache Recommendation for 2021 MCAS Computer-Based Testing document details the steps that schools should take to determine whether they should use ProctorCache. This document will be available soon in the MCAS Resource Center.
Technology staff who have questions about setting up an Infrastructure Trial should contact Technology Support (see the link in the footer to schedule a call). Technology Support Specialists also offer support in debriefing Infrastructure Trials.
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3. Mathematics Reference Sheet for January 2021 Now Available
The Mathematics reference sheet for the January 2021 MCAS high school Mathematics test is available on the MCAS Resource Center website. The document, titled “January High School Math Reference Sheet,” will be available within the student testing platform. However, schools may also print a copy for students to use during testing.
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4. MCAS Appeals Training Sessions
The Department has developed an online portal through which districts will be able to submit MCAS Performance Appeals for eligible high school students. Web-based training sessions for those who wish to use the new online application will be offered on the following dates:
- Tuesday, December 8, from 10:00-11:30 a.m.
- Thursday, December 10, from 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Both training sessions are identical. Please register here for either training opportunity, and email MCASappeals@doe.mass.edu with any questions.
Important information about MCAS performance appeals, including submission deadlines, cohort appeals, portfolio appeals, and required appeals submission forms can be found here and in the previous update.
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5. Reminders from the Previous Update
a. Registration Window for the Special January Administration of the ELA and Mathematics Tests Now Open
Schools must complete the Student Registration/Personal Needs Profile (SR/PNP) process by November 23 to order student test materials for the January tests. The updated guide to the SR/PNP process for the January test administration and an online training module are now available in the MCAS Resource Center. Refer to the previous update for more information.
b. Process to Request a Waiver from the MCAS CBT Expectation: Submit by Friday, November 13
Schools are expected to administer the special January high school ELA and Mathematics tests as computer-based assessments. Districts/organizations with unique, extenuating circumstances may apply to administer paper-based testing for all students for this administration and should do so by Friday, November 13 by emailing mcas@doe.mas.edu. Please see the previous update for details on how to submit a request.
c. MCAS BYOD Participation: Notify DESE by Friday, November 13
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 remote or in-person instruction, and who would like to utilize these devices for January MCAS testing, should email mcas@doe.mass.edu by Friday, November 13, for instructions on preparing devices.
d. Technology Support Prior to Computer-Based Testing
Technology Coordinators will be able to schedule one-on-one support from Pearson's Technology Support Specialists (i.e., Field Services Engineering) from now until January 13, 2021. Technology Coordinators may use this website to schedule "office hours" support for a 15-, 30-, or 60-minute phone meeting. Refer to the previous update for more information.
e. Blank ePATs for Practicing ELA Composition and Open-Response Questions
Blank ePATs (electronic practice assessment tools) for the January 2021 MCAS high school English Language Arts composition and open-response questions are available on the English Language Arts Test Design and Development page and on the MCAS Resource Center website. These blank ePATs are tools that educators can use to help students practice writing the composition and open-response questions.
f. Passing Scores for the Competency Determination (CD) on the January MCAS Tests
Students in the classes of 2021 and 2022 taking the January MCAS test administration must earn a legacy scaled score of at least 240 on the grade 10 ELA and Mathematics tests or earn a legacy scaled score between 220 and 238 and fulfill the requirements of an Educational Proficiency Plan (EPP). Please see the Department’s Graduation Requirements page for more information.
g. Class of 2021 John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Data Files Posted to DropBox Central
In addition to providing electronic and paper versions of the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship letters for the class of 2021, as noted in the October 9 update, the Department has posted a data file of award recipients. The CSV file is available in the MCAS 2020 Data folder in DropBox Central, which is located in the Department’s Security Portal. The file includes each student’s legacy-equivalent scaled score for each subject and a total scaled score for all subjects.
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MCAS Service Center
for logistical support, including tech support for PearsonAccess Next and TestNav
Email: mcas@cognia.org
Phone: 800-737-5103
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Student Assessment Services
for policy questions, including student participation
Email: mcas@doe.mass.edu
Phone: 781-338-3625
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