Assessment/Accountability
MCAS Performance Appeals

Commissioner's Message to Parents and Students

August 2010

Dear Parents and High School Students,

Welcome to the MCAS Performance Appeals website. The purpose of the MCAS appeals process is to provide an opportunity for high school students who have not yet passed MCAS tests in one or more of the required subjects to demonstrate through their coursework that they have the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the academic standards in the subject of the appeal. For information about the Massachusetts graduation requirements, please visit www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/graduation.html.

Earning a high school diploma is critical for success. The appeals process gives eligible students another opportunity to attempt to meet the state's graduation requirements. While the majority of students meet the standards by passing the high school MCAS English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science and Technology/Engineering tests or retests, many students have been helped by the MCAS Performance Appeals process.

There are three types of MCAS appeals, all of which may only be submitted by the superintendent or the student's school district. Cohort appeals may be submitted at any time and are reviewed monthly, except during July and August. For more information on cohort appeals, please visit www.doe.mass.edu/mcasappeals/filing/. Portfolio appeals are reviewed three times during the year. For more information on portfolio appeals, please visit www.doe.mass.edu/mcasappeals/filing/portfolio/. Transcript appeals may be submitted in cases where a student has transferred into a Massachusetts school in grade 12 after the MCAS retests have been administered in March. For more information on transcript appeals, please visit www.doe.mass.edu/mcasappeals/faq.html.

It is my intention to ensure that all high school students are given multiple opportunities to meet the state's graduation requirements. I urge you to continue to encourage your children to work with the teachers, counselors, and administrators at their schools toward this important and achievable goal.

Sincerely,

Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D.
Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education