Background on the MCAS Tests of May 1998
Overview
The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) is the Commonwealth's new statewide assessment program for public schools. MCAS measures the performance of students, schools, and districts on the academic learning standards contained in the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, fulfilling requirements of the Education Reform Law of 1993. In May 1998, students in grades 4, 8, and 10 participated in the first annual administration of the MCAS tests in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science & Technology.
The fundamental goal of Education Reform in Massachusetts is to improve students' academic performance. The development of the high academic standards described in the Curriculum Frameworks was a step toward accomplishing that goal; the implementation of MCAS represents the next important step in the process. The Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and MCAS together create a statewide system designed to support students, parents, teachers, and schools by uniformly promoting high academic standards for all public school students of the Commonwealth.
Results from the initial administration of MCAS serve as a baseline against which students and schools can measure their progress in achieving the newly established state standards. At the time MCAS tests were administered, many schools were still in the process of aligning their curriculum with the state standards. As a result, some students may not have been exposed to all of the content covered by the MCAS tests. Also, since this was the first administration of tests based on standards described in the Curriculum Frameworks, the tests were very challenging for many students. As students and teachers become more familiar with the new standards, test results should show progress in meeting these standards.
Purpose
MCAS Test Content
Types of Questions on MCAS
Common and Matrix-Sampled Items
Test Administration
Requirements for Student Participation
Students with Disabilities
Limited English Proficient Students
Scoring
Reporting
Performance Levels
Standard Setting
Scaled Scores
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