Instructions for Ordering Materials for the November 2008 MCAS Retest and February 2009 Biology Test Administrations
Deadline to Respond: September 19, 2008
| To: | Superintendents, High School Principals, and Directors of Alternative Adult/External Diploma Programs and Evening High Schools, Charter Schools, Educational Collaboratives, Approved Special Education Private Schools, and Institutional Schools |
| From: | Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D.
Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
|
| Date: | August 20, 2008 |
Updated September 17, 2008
I am writing to provide information about participation guidelines, administration dates, and instructions for ordering test materials for the November 2008 MCAS English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics retests and the February 2009 Biology test.
Participation Guidelines and Administration Dates
When preparing for test administration and ordering test materials, remember that all Massachusetts students educated at public expense, including students enrolled in educational collaboratives and approved and unapproved private special education schools within and outside the state, who are seeking to obtain a high school diploma are required to meet the Competency Determination (CD) standard. Superintendents must ensure that schools and programs that serve their students, both inside and outside the district, order test materials for students who are eligible and choose to participate.
Below are participation guidelines for these upcoming test administrations.
| Test | Who May Participate | Administration Dates |
|---|
| November Retest |
- Students repeating grade 10 who have not yet earned a scaled score of 220 on the ELA/Mathematics tests (updated Sept. 17, 2008)
- Students in grades 11 and 12 who have not yet earned a scaled score of 220 on the ELA/Mathematics tests (updated Sept. 17, 2008)
- Adults who have exited high school and are attempting to earn a CD
See Attachment A for more information.
|
ELA: November 5-7, 2008
Mathematics: November 12-13, 2008 |
| February Biology |
- Students in grades 9 and 10 who have completed or are expected to complete a high school biology course by the time of testing
- students in grade 11 who have not earned their CD in Science and Technology/Engineering
|
February 2-3, 2009 |
Preparation for Testing
To prepare for these test administrations, principals must
- update shipping information by September 19 (see Attachment B);
- complete the enrollment verification form for ordering test materials between September 8 and 19, even if no test materials are needed (see Attachment B).
Please contact the MCAS Service Center at 800-737-5103 if you have any questions about ordering test materials. As always, please direct questions about policy and guidelines for participation to the Student Assessment Services Unit at 781-338-3625.
Additional information about these test administrations, including the test administration manuals, will be posted later this fall to the Department's website at www.doe.mass.edu/mcas.
Thank you for your assistance.
| Attachment A: Additional November Retest Participation Guidelines |
| Attachment B: Instructions for Principals Preparing for the November 2008 MCAS Retests and February 2009 MCAS Biology Test |
last updated: September 17, 2008
|
