Important Information about the Massachusetts English Proficiency Assessment (MEPA) for Fall 2008
Deadline to Complete Enrollment Verification: September 19, 2008
| To: | Superintendents, Principals, and Directors of Charter Schools |
| Cc: | English Language Learner Program Directors and Educators Serving English Language Learners |
| From: | Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D.
Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education |
| Date: | August 20, 2008 |
In fall 2008, all LEP students in grades 1-12 will participate in a field test for MEPA-R/W.
Some LEP students must also participate in fall MEPA testing, as shown in the table below. In preparation for fall testing, principals must complete the enrollment verification form between September 2 and 19.
| Test | Who Participates | Ordering Test Materials |
|---|
2008 MEPA-R/W Field Test
(October 6-10) |
All LEP students enrolled in grades 1-12 |
Test materials are automatically shipped to schools based on their March SIMS submission |
| Fall 2008 MEPA |
MELA-O
(October 1-29) |
- All LEP students enrolled in kindergarten1
- Only those LEP students enrolled in grades 1-12 who did not participate in the spring 2008 MELA-O
|
N/A |
MEPA-R/W
(October 20-29) |
- All LEP students enrolled in grade 32
- Only those LEP students enrolled in grades 4-12 who did not participate in the spring 2008 MEPA-R/W
|
Schools must complete the enrollment verification form between September 2 and 19. See
attached instructions
. |
1 Exception: Students who are repeating kindergarten and participated in the spring 2008 MELA-O do not participate.
2 Exception: Students who are repeating grade 3 and participated in the spring 2008 MEPA-R/W do not participate.
If you are unsure of whether a student participated in the spring 2008 MELA-O or MEPA-R/W, you may research the student's score using one of the following methods:
- Review your school and/or district's spring 2008 MEPA data file posted at www.mcasservicecenter.com under "MEPA Reporting." (Principals will have access only to their own school's data; superintendents will have access to data for all schools within their district.)
- Review copies of your school's MEPA Parent/Guardian Reports from spring 2008.
- Contact the student's previous school or district to request the student's scores.
- Call the MCAS Service Center (800-737-5103) to request the student's scores. You will need to provide the student's name, SASID, date of birth, and name of previous school.
Thank you for your attention to this important information about English proficiency assessments for LEP students.
Instructions for Principals Preparing for the Fall 2008 MEPA Test Administration
last updated: August 25, 2008
|
