Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

Student Assessment Update: September 3, 2019

Contact Information

Latest Updates from Student Assessment Services

1. Welcome Back to School
   We welcome everyone back to the new school year. This first edition of the Student Assessment Update for the 2019-2020 school year provides information on upcoming training sessions and other time-sensitive information. Our annual back-to-school edition with more detailed information about the coming year will be sent out in the next update.

2. About This Update
   The Department automatically sends the Student Assessment Update biweekly to principals, MCAS test coordinators, special education directors, and EL program directors based on contact information submitted to the Department.

   We encourage you to share this update with your test administration teams or develop a plan for communicating relevant information to them. Individuals who would like to receive the update directly can subscribe by following the instructions at the bottom of this newsletter.

3. Grade 10 ELA and Mathematics Scaled Scores for Interim Competency Determination Requirement
   For the classes of 2021 and 2022, students must earn a next-generation MCAS scaled score that is equivalent to a legacy MCAS scaled score of at least 240 on the grade 10 ELA and Mathematics tests or earn the next-generation MCAS equivalent of a legacy scaled score between 220 and 238 and fulfill the requirements of an Educational Proficiency Plan (EPP).

   The interim passing standard, which is being used for the classes of 2021 and 2022, defines a level of achievement on the next-generation tests that is equivalent to the current standard on the legacy tests. The table below (from the Raw-to-Scaled Score Conversion Table) shows the grade 10 next-generation scaled score ranges and the corresponding legacy MCAS achievement levels, CPI points, and Competency Determination (CD) status.

   Grade 10 ELA NextGen Scaled Score Range	Grade 10 Math NextGen Scaled Score Range	Legacy-equivalent Scaled Score Range	Legacy-equivalent Achievement Level	CPI	CD status code	CD status
   440 – 446	440 – 453	200 – 208	F	0	0	Did not pass
   447 – 454	454 – 468	210 – 218	F	25	0	Did not pass
   455 – 462	469 – 476	220 – 228	NI	50	1	Passed, requires EPP
   463 – 471	477 – 485	230 – 238	NI	75	1	Passed, requires EPP
   472 – 500	486 – 503	240 – 258	P	100	2	Passed
   501 – 560	504 – 560	260 – 280	A	100	2	Passed

   On September 4, interactive reports become available in Edwin Analytics, which include students' updated CD status using the MCAS Student Item Analysis Roster (IT616), in the Security Portal.

   The CD status codes for high school MCAS subject area tests are as follows:
   0 or blank = did not pass
   1 = passed and requires an EPP (ELA and Mathematics)
   1 = passed (STE)
   2 = passed (ELA and Mathematics)

   Additional information about the high school graduation requirements is available.

   Additional details about upcoming releases are available on the 2019 Assessment and Accountability Reporting Schedule at: Accountability Lists, Materials, and Tools web page.

   If you have any questions, please contact Student Assessment Services (see contact information in the header of this update).

4. Fall Training Sessions on MCAS and MCAS-Alt
   Fall training sessions for MCAS and MCAS-Alt are now posted on Student Assessment's Training Opportunities web page. Below are the sessions to be held this month:

   Test(s)	Sessions	Training Dates and Registration Link	Audience
   MCAS November Retests	Overview of the Student Registration/Personal Needs (SR/PNP) Profile for the MCAS November Retests Information about the SR/PNP process for ordering test materials and updating selected accommodations	Thursday, September 19, 10:00–11:30 a.m. Note: Email mcas@doe.mass.edu by September 12 with requests for specific topics or demonstrations.	Principals, test coordinators, technology coordinators For new staff or those who want a full refresher
   MCAS Tests (grades 3–8 and high school)	MCAS Reporting Information for principals and their teams about the release of spring 2019 MCAS results	Friday, September 20, 10:00–11:30 a.m.	Principals and their teams

5. ACCESS for ELLs: Assign Contacts by September 13
   Principals may either serve as the ACCESS for ELLs School Test Coordinator or designate a staff person to fill that role. The district should assign a District Test Coordinator and a District Technology Coordinator. Designations should be made as soon as possible and communicated to your district's Directory Administrator, who will need to update your school's DESE Profile by Friday, September 13. The designated individuals will receive important communications from WIDA and Data Recognition Corporation (DRC), the testing contractor, throughout the year.

   Please contact Student Assessment Services with any questions about ACCESS for ELLs testing at access@doe.mass.edu or 781-338-3625.

6. MCAS Testing Contractor's New Name
   Following the 2018 merger of AdvancED with Measured Progress (the MCAS testing contractor), the combined organization recently adopted a new name: Cognia. The level of service for Massachusetts remains the same, and Department staff are working closely with the testing contractor to make the transition as seamless as possible for schools. Schools will continue calling 800-737-5103 to reach the MCAS Service Center. The Measured Progress email address for the Service Center will still work, but the new email address ( mcas@cognia.org) is preferred. Schools will see a transition in the name change this fall: some shipments may arrive in cartons labeled with the Measured Progress name, and other materials may be labeled with the Cognia name.

Additional Resources

Spring 2019 student work samples and scoring guides

MCAS Alternate Assessment back-to-school newsletter

2019-2020 MCAS testing schedule

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.