Assessment/Accountability
MCAS Performance Appeals

MCAS Portfolio Appeals
(August 2011)

In a small number of cases, it may not be possible to use a student's course grades for the purpose of filing an MCAS cohort appeal because either a previous cohort appeal was denied, or there are fewer than six students in the school or program who have taken the same sequence of courses as the student for whom the appeal is being filed. In such cases, the superintendent or school director may submit an MCAS Portfolio Appeal consisting of the student's current or cumulative work in the content area of the appeal. The portfolio appeal will include work collected during one or more years in high school, according to the attached guidelines, that meets a comparable level of performance to a student who has earned a score of Needs Improvement or above on a high school MCAS test in the subject of the appeal. Portfolio appeals may be filed for students either with or without disabilities.

The attached guidelines for preparing portfolio appeals are similar to those used by a high school student with a disability participating in the MCAS Alternate Assessment who is submitting a "competency portfolio." Follow these guidelines carefully when submitting portfolios. When evidence in the portfolio does not closely follow the guidelines, it will most likely be insufficient to show that the student has met the required standard. For a student in special education, the Department strongly encourages collaboration between general and special educators to develop the portfolio. Schools should begin collecting work samples as soon as possible for students in high school for whom a portfolio appeal may be needed.

Portfolio appeals for the 2011-2012 school year must be submitted according to the timetable shown below. Portfolios received after the listed deadlines may not be reviewed. A completed 2011-2012 MCAS Appeals Application must be submitted with each portfolio appeal.

Students who have not yet earned a scaled score of 220 in all high school MCAS tests required to earn a Competency Determination should also be encouraged to participate in MCAS retest opportunities, even if an appeal has been filed. These students should also be fulfilling the requirements of an Educational Proficiency Plan (EPP). More information about EPPs is available on the Department's website at www.doe.mass.edu/ccr/epp/.

Attached are guidelines for filing portfolio appeals.