Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

Student Assessment Update: July 28, 2014

Preliminary 2014 MCAS and MCAS-Alt Results

Full preliminary MCAS and MCAS-Alt results are scheduled to be available in the MCAS 2014 Data Dropbox at the Department's Security Portal and in Edwin Analytics by 5:00 p.m. on August 7, 2014. Principals and school officials should use these preliminary results to verify the accuracy of student information and student test status data, and to identify potential discrepancies to report to the Department. However, since these are preliminary data, you may NOT release any aggregate data to the public until the official release of school and district results in September.

MCAS Reporting and Accountability Teleconferences

Registration for the upcoming reporting teleconferences on August 7 and 8 is now available. During the teleconferences, Department staff will share important information regarding the spring 2014 MCAS test results, and participants will have an opportunity to ask questions.

2014 MCAS Discrepancy Reporting

The Department's online discrepancy reporting period for MCAS data is August 7 through August 14. It is essential that principals and school leaders review their preliminary results during this period, or delegate this task to a designee, as discrepancies reported after 5:00 p.m. on August 14 will not be corrected in time for the official September release of results. The online MCAS discrepancy reporting tool will be available at the MCAS Service Center website. Detailed instructions for reporting MCAS data discrepancies will be posted at the MCAS Service Center website and in the MCAS 2014 Data Dropbox at the Department's Security Portal.

MCAS-Alt Score Appeals

Principals will receive MCAS-Alt score appeal results by regular mail no later than July 31.

Second Decision Round for MCAS/PARCC Assessment Choice

As you know, districts will have the choice to administer either PARCC or MCAS tests in ELA and Mathematics for students in grades 3-8 in spring 2015. The Department received an overwhelming response from districts during the Early Decision round, which ended on June 30. The survey for the final decision round will become available on September 2.

PARCC Fellows

The Department is seeking nominations for the PARCC Educator Leader Fellows for 2014-2016. These educators provide professional development about standards and PARCC. Nominees should be already engaged in leadership work around the Common Core State Standards, actively involved in professional networks, and regarded as leaders by their colleagues. See PARCC Educator Leader Fellows: Request for Nominations for an application form, which you should forward to your nominee. The application deadline is September 22.

Important Upcoming Dates

July 31: Principals receive MCAS-Alt score appeal results
August 7: MCAS and MCAS-Alt preliminary results available
August 7 and 8: MCAS Reporting and Accountability teleconferences
August 7-14: MCAS Discrepancy Reporting
September 2: MCAS/PARCC assessment choice survey opens
September 22: PARCC Fellows application deadline

Subscriber Information

Principals, MCAS test coordinators, and ELL directors receive this update based on contact information submitted to the Department. To change your email address or to add another staff member, please follow the instructions below:

Public school districts, public schools, charter public schools, collaboratives, approved special education schools: Submit the new email address to your District-Level Directory Administrator.
MCAS test sites, adult education programs, out-of-state schools, SEIS-DYS programs: Submit an email address (along with your District and School Code) to diradmin@doe.mass.edu.

We welcome your feedback at mcas@doe.mass.edu.

Last Updated: July 29, 2014