Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

Student Assessment Update: September 12, 2017, Special Back-to-School Edition

Contact Information

Latest Updates from Student Assessment Services

1. Review reports and related resources from the spring 2017 MCAS tests.
   

   • Review the Assessment & Accountability Data Review & Release Schedule (last updated August 14) to prepare for the official reporting of spring 2017 results. Official results are scheduled to be released in mid-October, and the Department is planning virtual training sessions to provide additional information on the results for the next-generation tests in ELA and Mathematics.

   • Familiarize yourself with resources related to the 2017 results:
     
     • MCAS results page
     • MCAS test questions from the computer-based and paper-based tests
     • Samples of 2017 student work (to be posted in the coming weeks)
     • Updated page for parents/guardians

   • Log in to Edwin Analytics in MassEdu Gateway to review spring 2017 MCAS results. Schools may find the following reports and information of particular interest:

     On the District & School Tab, use MCAS 2017 Curriculum & Item Analysis reports to see school, district, and state results on individual items, Curriculum Frameworks standards, and question types.
     Item Analysis Summary (IT301 / IT401)	displays possible points and the percent of possible points for each item at the school, district, and state levels includes item description (ELA and Math grades 3-8 only), standard number, and question type filter by student groups; sort by district or state score, standard, item number or type
     Item Analysis Graph (IT302 / IT402)	graph of the percent possible points for each item at the school, district, and state levels filter by student groups; sort by district or state score, standard, item number or type
     Results by Standards (CU306 / CU406)	displays possible points and the percent of possible points by standard and question type for student groups at the school, district, and state levels

     
     

     On the Student Tab, use MCAS 2017 Interactive Student Roster and Individual Student Assessment History reports to see how students performed on individual items, Curriculum Frameworks standards, and question types compared to school, district, and state performance.
     Item Analysis Roster (IT616)	displays item-level results by reporting category strand and question type for selected students filter students by achievement level and/or student demographics
     Assessment Detail - Student Detail layout (PE606)	displays points and the percent of possible points for selected students by reporting category strand, topic, and question type filter students by achievement level and/or student demographics compare student results to school, district, and state results
     Assessment Detail - Roster layout (PE606)	displays percent possible points by student calculates average percent possible points for selected students by reporting category strand, topic, and question type filter students by achievement level and/or student demographics

     
     
2. Prepare to administer computer-based tests (CBTs) for both MCAS and ACCESS for ELLs.
   
   • In spring 2018, elementary and middle schools are expected to administer grades 4, 5, 7, and 8 MCAS tests, including the Science and Technology/Engineering (STE) tests at grades 5 and 8, using the computer-based format. Schools may also choose to administer CBTs for grades 3 and 6. Instructions will be sent via email to superintendents on how to submit their testing mode decisions and CBT waiver requests for the grades listed above. The window for submitting decisions will be September 18-October 13.
     
     • Reach out to your superintendent's office to confirm which testing mode decisions are being made for your school.

   • The Department will create user accounts for high school staff that are new to their principal or test coordinator roles, based on Directory Administration, on or around September 15. Users with accounts from last year should log on to update their password for the 2017-2018 school year. More information on user accounts will follow in the pre-administration guide.

   • Districts that currently support a Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) program may choose to email the Department to discuss participating in a BYOD pilot for spring 2018 MCAS testing for grades 3-8.

   • High schools should be prepared to administer computer-based MCAS field tests in ELA and Mathematics in spring 2018 (see attached document for the Commissioner's June 23 On the Desktop message regarding these tests). There will also be a tryout of computer-based high school STE items in June. Details will be provided this fall.

   • Remember that ACCESS for ELLs tests will be fully computer based beginning in 2019.

3. Make preparations for upcoming testing-related events for grades 3-8 and for high schools.
   
   • The 2017-2018 testing schedule has been updated with administration deadlines and will be posted shortly.
   • The MCAS training opportunities calendar has been updated and will continue to be updated throughout the year as more sessions are added.
   
   A. Grades 3-8
   
   • Later this fall, resources for the spring 2018 tests will be posted, including test designs, rubrics, reporting category percentages, and achievement level descriptors used in the standard setting process, as well as updated standard Mathematics reference sheets for all students in grades 5-8.
   
   B. High schools
   
   • Order November retest materials between September 25 and October 6. High school principals will receive more information in mid-September.
     
     • Test materials are ordered using the Student Registration/Personal Needs Profile (SR/PNP) process. A guide to the SR/PNP process will be posted along with other resources, and a training session will be held on September 20 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

   • Prepare for students who need an Educational Proficiency Plan (EPP) to meet their CD requirements. Two opportunities to meet the assessment requirement are the MCAS ELA retest in March and the MCAS/EPP Mathematics test (April 23-May 4); other assessment options are described.

   • Principals will receive a delivery of letters around October 17 for students who have qualified to receive the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship. Schools should make copies of the letters for students' files and should instruct parents/guardians to maintain copies to provide to the colleges.

4. Make preparations to assess students with disabilities.
   
   • Review the Accessibility and Accommodations Manual for the Spring 2018 MCAS Grades 3-8 Tests and Requirements for the Participation of Students with Disabilities and English Language Learners in the 2017-2018 MCAS High School Tests.

   • Use the updated approved graphic organizers and supplemental reference sheets for the spring 2018 grades 3-8 MCAS tests.

   • Identify students with disabilities who will participate in the MCAS-Alt, and become familiar with the updated resources for completing a 2018 MCAS-Alt portfolio.

5. Become familiar with ACCESS for ELLs policies and prepare for testing.
   
   • All ELL students in grades K-12 must participate in ACCESS for ELLs testing. ACCESS for ELLs will be given January 4-February 7, 2018, and schools will order materials beginning on October 23, 2017. Instructions will be sent to ACCESS test coordinators via email this fall.

   • Identify students with disabilities who will require accommodations for the ACCESS for ELLs tests, and update IEPs and 504 plans as necessary.

   • ACCESS for ELLs test coordinators can participate in fall training opportunities, which will be posted shortly.

6. Become familiar with resources and ways to receive technical assistance.
   
   • The table below shows the support available for each of the statewide tests, where resources are posted, and the contact information for technical assistance.
     
     • We encourage schools and districts to send non-urgent questions via email to assist us in managing response times by phone.

   • Schools may have noticed that the Department has updated the Student Assessment home page. We welcome you to provide feedback by emailing mcas@doe.mass.edu.

   Test	Support Available
   MCAS and MCAS-Alt	MCAS Service Center mcas@measuredprogress.org 800-737-5103 General questions about MCAS tests (CBT and PBT) CBT technology support Using PearsonAccess Next and other resources General questions about MCAS-Alt MCAS-Alt training opportunities Ordering MCAS-Alt portfolio materials	ESE Office of Student Assessment Services MCAS@doe.mass.edu 781-338-3625 www.doe.mass.edu/mcas MCAS resource center MCAS-Alt ACCESS@doe.mass.edu For policy questions and to share feedback
   ACCESS for ELLs	WIDA Help Desk help@wida.us 866-276-7735 WIDA personal accounts for training materials and certification Standards Training materials and certification
   	DRC Help Desk WIDA@datarecognitioncorp.com 855-787-9615 WIDA AMS (Assessment Management System): user accounts, session management, ordering materials Technology issues Test materials Reporting and results

   
   

Subscriber Information

Principals, MCAS test coordinators, special education directors, and ELL directors automatically receive this Student Assessment Update based on contact information submitted to the Department. To change your email address or to add another staff member who serves in one of these roles, please follow the instructions below:

• Public school districts, public schools, charter public schools: submit the new email address to your District-Level Directory Administrator.

• Educational collaboratives, approved private special education schools, test sites, adult education programs, out-of-state schools, SEIS-DYS programs: go online to the EOE Information Technology web page (select "District/School Information Update" as the subject) to submit your update (be sure to include your District and School Code).

For others who wish to subscribe, email imailsrv@list1.doe.mass.edu with the following information in the body of the email: "subscribe SASUpdate Your_Name" (Example: subscribe SASUpdate John_Smith). To unsubscribe, send an email to the same address with the following information in the body: "unsubscribe SASUpdate."

We welcome your questions and feedback at mcas@doe.mass.edu. Thank you.