Assessment/Accountability MCAS
Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

MEPA Performance Levels as Described in the MEPA Parent/Guardian Report

Grades 1-2 (Fall)/K-2 (Spring):

Your child's overall results on the MEPA tests are reported based on five levels of performance. The performance levels for grades 1-2 (Fall)/K-2 (Spring) are described below.

A student at Level 1 cannot yet communicate in English, and errors almost always interfere with communication. Comprehension is demonstrated either without words, through a few basic English words, or in a language other than English. A student performing at this level typically

• recognizes only a few letters of the alphabet and reads only a few simple words, with help;
• writes only a few letters of the alphabet and may attempt to write words that are mostly incorrect;
• speaks using only a few English words with frequent errors, and cannot be understood easily;
• understands only a little spoken English.

A student at Level 2 communicates using simple written and spoken English at school, with errors that often interfere with communication and understanding. A student performing at this level typically

• recognizes many letters of the alphabet and reads a few simple words, with help;
• writes some letters of the alphabet and a few basic words, with frequent errors;
• speaks English using basic words and short phrases, and is generally difficult to understand;
• recognizes some basic spoken words and phrases in English, with frequent repetition and explanation.

A student at Level 3 communicates using basic English at school, though errors sometimes interfere with communication and understanding. A student performing at this level typically

• reads and understands many common words and most letters of the alphabet, including some grade-level academic language;
• writes commonly used words and simple sentences, with some errors;
• speaks English using common words, including some grade-level academic vocabulary, and basic grammar and sentence structure, with some errors;
• understands most basic spoken English, including some grade-level academic vocabulary, with some repetition and explanation.

A student at Level 4 is generally fluent in English at school. Oral and written communication is mostly correct and usually understandable, with few or minor errors. A student performing at this level typically

• reads and understands most common words, including many grade-level academic words;
• writes short sentences and short texts, with few errors;
• speaks English with basic fluency, using grade-appropriate words and sentences, with occasional errors;
• understands most spoken English during classroom discussions, including grade-level academic vocabulary, with only occasional repetition and explanation.

A student at Level 5 is fluent and communicates effectively in English across all academic subjects, with very few errors. Oral and written communication is correct and understandable. A student performing at this level typically

• reads and understands most grade-level texts;
• writes and edits grade-level texts with fluency, using standard grade-level English writing conventions;
• speaks English with fluency, using grade-level academic vocabulary correctly;
• understands spoken English, with little or no need for repetition or explanation.

Grades 3-12:

Your child's overall results on the MEPA tests are reported based on five levels of performance. The performance levels for grade spans 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, and 9-12 are described below.

A student at Level 1 cannot yet communicate in English and errors almost always interfere with communication. Comprehension is demonstrated either without words, through a few basic words, or in a language other than English. A student performing at this level typically

• reads only a few simple written words or phrases, with help;
• writes only a few simple words and a few short sentences with errors;
• speaks using only a few English words with common errors, and is not easily understood;
• understands only a little spoken English.

A student at Level 2 communicates using simple written and spoken English at school, with errors that often interfere with communication and understanding. A student performing at this level typically

• reads and understands simple words, phrases, and a few simple sentences with help, but shows little awareness of features of written English;
• writes one or more simple sentences with some understanding of purpose and audience, but shows little control of grade-level standard English writing conventions;
• speaks using basic English words and phrases, and is generally difficult to understand;
• understands some basic spoken vocabulary, phrases, and simple questions, with frequent repetition and explanation.

A student at Level 3 communicates using basic English at school, although errors sometimes interfere with communication and understanding. A student performing at this level typically

• reads and understands many common words and some grade-level academic vocabulary; can understand the main idea of some grade-level texts, and understands some grade-level features of written English;
• writes and edits simple sentences and paragraphs to suit an audience, and uses basic grade-level vocabulary; shows some control of grade-level standard English writing conventions;
• speaks using many basic English words and some grade-level academic vocabulary, creating original sentences, with some errors and pauses in conversation;
• understands most spoken English sentences and questions, some basic grade-level academic vocabulary, and grade-level texts read aloud, with some repetition and explanation.

A student at Level 4 is generally fluent in English at school, and oral and written communication is mostly correct and usually understandable, with few or minor errors. A student performing at this level typically

• reads and understands most grade-level texts, including academic vocabulary and most grade-level features of written English;
• writes and edits short texts with few errors using basic grade-level academic vocabulary, and shows basic control of grade-level standard English writing conventions;
• speaks English with basic fluency, using grade-level words and sentences, with occasional errors;
• understands most spoken English during classroom discussions, with only occasional repetition and explanation.

A student at Level 5 communicates effectively in English across all academic subjects, with few errors. The student shows control of standard English. Oral and written communication is correct and understandable. A student performing at this level typically

• reads and understands most grade-level texts, including a range of academic vocabulary;
• writes and edits texts of different lengths, giving details and descriptions to suit the purpose and audience, and shows a general control of standard grade-level English writing conventions;
• speaks English with grade-level fluency, using academic language and descriptive vocabulary in conversations and classroom discussions;
• understands spoken English during nearly all conversations and classroom discussions.