Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

Student Assessment Update: April 9, 2019

Contact Information

Latest Updates from Student Assessment Services

For All Schools

1. Undo Test Submissions
   District test coordinators have the permission to undo test submissions using PearsonAccess Next. This step should be done in cases when a student accidently clicks "submit but did not actually finish a test session. Refer to this resource for the steps involved. Questions may be directed to the Office of Student Assessment Services (see contact information in the header of this update).

2. Reporting Webinar on Grade 10 ELA Topics (Early Reporting Round 1: Machine-Scored Items)
   Department staff will hold a reporting webinar on April 29 at 3:00–4:30 p.m. on the following topics:

   • Viewing the released questions and test design
   • Accessing the .CSV data file and student rosters
   • Viewing statewide results and conducting preliminary analysis of your results
   • Future release dates
   
   

   Registration is now available.

3. Reminder: Availability of TestNav during the Week of April 15
   TestNav will not be available during the week of April 15, since it is anticipated that schools will not be in session. If a school is in session and would like to request permission to conduct testing that week, follow the steps on in the Principal's Administration Manual on page 31 in section d.

4. Updated TestNav System Requirements Page
   The TestNav System Requirements and the Recently Updated Support pages have been updated showing that support has now been added for Chrome OS 73 and iOS 12.2, and showing explanations for additional error codes. Schools are reminded that operating system updates should, if possible, be delayed until after MCAS test administration is complete.

For High Schools

1. Reminder: Student Registration for the Operational High School STE Tests Due April 12
   High schools are reminded to complete the Student Registration/Personal Needs Profile (SR/PNP) for the operational high school STE tests by April 12. Detailed information is available.

2. MCAS/EPP Test Materials Now Available
   Materials to administer the MCAS/EPP Mathematics test are now available in the Department's Security Portal. Staff who need access to these materials will need the role of "MCAS EPP Drop Box," which can be assigned by districts' Directory Administrator. Questions on the EPP may be directed to chievement@doe.mass.edu or 781-338-3010. The window for administering the MCAS/EPP Mathematics test is April 22–May 3, 2019.

   As a reminder, the MCAS/EPP Mathematics test is an option for students to successfully complete the mathematics assessment portion of their Education Proficiency Plan (EPP) in order to meet their Competency Determination graduation requirement. The MCAS/EPP Mathematics test has two separate sessions. Individual test sessions are designed to be completed in 60 minutes.

Other Important Dates

Additional Resources

Early reporting schedule

Frequently Asked Questions: Spring 2019 MCAS

Updated instructions for students using laptops

Guidance for technology problems that may occur during testing

 

Guidance on tasks in PearsonAccess Next

Guidance on enrollment transfer requests in PearsonAccess Next

Guidance on creating PAN Sessions

Resolving Incorrect Accommodations During Testing module

Guidance on Resume and Resume Upload

Guidance on removing students from a PAN Session

Guidance on marking tests "complete" in PAN

Subscriber Information

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:

• Public school districts, public schools, charter public schools, educational collaboratives, and approved private special education schools: submit the new email address to your District-Level Directory Administrator.
• 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."

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.