Participation Guidelines for the Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 MEPA Administrations
Students participate in MEPA as shown in the table below.
| MEPA Test | Fall 2011 Participation Requirements | Spring 2012 Participation Requirements |
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MELA-O:
Listening and Speaking | Only students enrolled in grades 1-12 who were reported as LEP in the October 2011 SIMS and who did not participate in spring 2011 MELA-O * | - All students enrolled in grades K-12 who were reported as LEP in the October 2011 SIMS
- All formerly LEP (FLEP) students in grades K-12 who were reported as LEP in the October 2011 SIMS
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MEPA-R/W:
Reading and Writing | Only students enrolled in grades 1-12 who were reported as LEP in the October 2011 SIMS and who did not participate in spring 2011 MEPA-R/W * | - All students enrolled in grades K-12 who were reported as LEP in the October 2011 SIMS
- All FLEP students in grades K-12 who were reported as LEP in the October 2011 SIMS
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* If you are unsure whether a student participated in the previous spring administration, you may research the student's score by reviewing data files (go to www.mcasservicecenter.com); reviewing your MEPA Parent/Guardian Reports; contacting the student's previous school/district; or contacting the MCAS Service Center (when placing your request, please provide the student's name, SASID, date of birth, and school at which the student was tested).
Test Levels/Sessions
Grades 1-2 (Fall)/K-2 (Spring)
ELL students participate in one of two MEPA-R/W test levels in grades 1-2 (fall)/K-2 (spring). Students participate in either the Level A or Level B MEPA-R/W test for both Reading and Writing. (One test level determination is made for both the Reading and Writing tests.)
Grades 3-12
ELL students participate in two of three test sessions in grades 3-12. For grades 3-12, separate test session decisions are made for participation in Reading and Writing. Students participate in the grade span test corresponding to the grade in which they are enrolled: grade span 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, or 9-12.
Participation in MEPA Test Levels/Test Sessions
| Grades | Reading | Writing |
| 1-2 (fall)/ K-2 (spring) | Level A OR Level B |
| 3-12 | Sessions 1 and 2
OR
Sessions 2 and 3 | Sessions 1 and 2
OR
Sessions 2 and 3 |
Criteria to consider in determining which level or pair of sessions a student will take include the following:
- locator survey/test results (see below)
- MEPA Performance Level Descriptors (posted at www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/mepa/pld.html)
- the student's scores on English proficiency assessments used by the district
- the student's scores on MCAS English Language Arts tests
- observations by staff working closely with the student, based on the MEPA Performance Level Descriptors
- the student's scores on previous MEPA tests (for spring only)
Locator Survey/Tests
The Department recommends the use of a locator survey (grades 1-2 [fall]/K-2 [spring]) and grade span specific locator tests to help educators determine which test level or pair of sessions to administer to students. The survey/tests are posted at www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/mepa/testadmin/.
The locator survey for grades 1-2 (fall)/K-2 (spring) contains an 11-item checklist to assist schools in designating students for either Level A or Level B Reading and Writing tests. The survey also includes test administration guidelines.
The locator tests for grades 3-12 for each grade span contain a Reading session and a Writing session. The Reading session of the test will take approximately 30 minutes to administer, and the Writing session of the test will take approximately 15 minutes to administer. The tests are accompanied by instructions for administration, scoring, and interpretation. Results will assist in determining whether a student should take either Sessions 1 and 2 or Sessions 2 and 3 of the appropriate grade-span MEPA-R/W test (separate decisions for Reading and Writing).
If a locator survey/test is used to assist in determining which MEPA-R/W test a student should take, it should be administered before the deadline for ordering additional test materials.
last updated: July 20, 2011
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