Registration for January Training Sessions Now AvailableRegistration is now available for the January 2019 MCAS training sessions.
While these training sessions will be differentiated by level of computer-based testing (CBT) experience, all are welcome at each session. Sessions for returning staff will be held before the ones for new staff so that school teams can determine if they need to also participate in the second.
All principals are encouraged to participate in one of the sessions on test security and administration protocols, and new high school principals are expected to participate. Principals who cannot participate in one of the sessions (January 29 and 31) may view a recording to fulfill the expectation.
MCAS Student Questionnaire — Grades 4, 5, 8, and 10 New for 2019, the student questionnaire will be administered in grade 4, as well as grades 5, 8, and 10 (this is the first year the questionnaire will be administered in grade 4). Summary reports and the questions from the 2018 student questionnaires administered in grades 5, 8, and 10 can be found on the Department's website, and questions may be directed to Shelagh Peoples in the Office of Planning and Research via email or by calling 781-338-3220.
Passwords for the MCAS Service Center New passwords for the MCAS Service Center will be sent via US mail in early January 2019 for tasks related to tests given in the 2019 calendar year. Passwords will be addressed to the attention of the principal, and a roster of passwords for all the schools in the district will be sent to superintendents.
High school principals need to retain their 2018 passwords for the following:
All principals will use the new password beginning in 2019 for the following:
Questions about passwords should be directed to the MCAS Service Center (see contact information in the header of this update).
Registration for the MCAS Alternate Assessment: January 7–18, 2019 Schools administering the MCAS Alternate Assessment (MCAS-Alt) must order submission materials January 7–18, 2019 (this is a separate step from completing the SR/PNP to register students for the standard MCAS tests). Please check with teachers in your school to verify the number of students taking the MCAS-Alt in each grade.
Beginning January 7, MCAS-Alt materials can be ordered by following these steps:
ACCESS for ELLs
Reminders from the Previous Update
MCAS-Alt Training Sessions: Registration Now OpenMCAS-Alt Portfolios-in-Progress portfolio review sessions and one final MCAS-Alt introduction training session are scheduled for January. Registration is now available.
ACCESS for ELLs Online Test Set-Up: Complete by February 8, 2019Test coordinators will need to update student information, place students into sessions, and print tickets in preparation for the 2019 ACCESS for ELLs administration. These tasks will need to be completed by February 8. More information is provided in the December 3 EL Update.
Reminder: Registration for the February Biology Test Due December 14 Schools must complete the Student Registration/Personal Needs Profile (SR/PNP) process to order student test materials for the February Biology test between December 3 and 14. A response is required from each high school by December 14, including from schools that do not have students participating in this administration. More information was provided in the November 27 Student Assessment Update.
Updated Adams Scholarship Letters and Rosters High schools will be receiving additional letters for students in the class of 2019 who have qualified to receive the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship according to the details below:
The letter is important because students must provide a copy of it along with their completed FAFSA application each year. Without this letter, the college/university will not apply the tuition credit.
Schools will need to do the following:
This is the last edition of the Student Assessment Update for 2018. All of us in Student Assessment Services would like to thank you and the educators in your schools for all the work you do on behalf of students, and would like to wish you a happy and safe holiday season and new year.
The next edition of the Student Assessment Update (scheduled to be sent on January 8, 2019) will include additional information in preparation for the spring assessments. To help us improve future updates, please send us your input, particularly on the following:
Resources Currently Available:
DESE survey to give input on DESE's communications
Grade 10 next-generation MCAS resources
Commissioner's message regarding MCAS-Alt and ESSA
Blank CBT response boxes
Principals, MCAS test coordinators, special education directors, and EL program 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:
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."
In addition, ESE sends occasional communications regarding state policies that affect educators, parents, and other community stakeholders, as well as opportunities for community members to participate in state initiatives. Please visit our newsletter sign-up page if you are interested in receiving other news and information from the Department.
We welcome your questions and feedback at mcas@doe.mass.edu. Thank you.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370
Disclaimer: A reference in this website to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.