Assessment/Accountability
Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

Spring 2002 MCAS Tests

Regular Administration, Grade 9/10 Question Tryout, Grade 10 Retest

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide you with important information related to the spring 2002 MCAS tests and retests. It updates the Overview of 2001 MCAS Tests, which was sent to you last year and can be found on the Department's website at www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/. To promote a smooth test administration, I urge principals and their designees to review material in this memorandum and attend one of the 2002 test administration workshops that are being offered between March 11 and 18.

This memorandum includes:

• Overview of Spring 2002 MCAS Test Administration summarizing scheduling and reporting information and identifying the edition of the Curriculum Framework on which each test is based;
• MCAS 2002 Updates summarizing small changes since last year; and
• Four appendices:
  1. Related MCAS Publications
  2. Sample Grade 4 ELA Composition Writing Prompt: New Format
  3. Policy on Grade 10 Retest Participation
  4. MCAS Grade 10 Retest Sample Non-Participation Form.

Should you need additional information, please call staff in the Assessment Services Unit at (781) 338-3625.