Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

New MCAS Participation Guidelines for Koplik Award Eligibility

To:	Superintendents, High School Principals, and Directors of Charter Schools, Approved Private Special Education Schools, Educational Collaboratives, and Institutional Settings
Copy:	MCAS Test Coordinators, Koplik Award Coordinators, and Guidance Counselors
From:	Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D. Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
Date:	January 9, 2012

I am writing to notify you of new student participation guidelines for the MCAS high school Science and Technology/Engineering (STE) tests. As you may remember, STE became part of the eligibility determination for the Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery with Distinction Award beginning with the class of 2010. Eligibility is based, in part, on students' MCAS scores. Beginning with the February 2012 MCAS Biology test, students in grades 11 and 12 who have already earned their Competency Determination (CD) in STE may participate again in STE testing in an attempt to qualify for the Koplik Award. Students may participate in June in a Biology, Chemistry, Introductory Physics, or Technology/Engineering test. Students should consider this an opportunity to take either a test in the same subject as previously taken, or an STE test in the subject they are currently studying. The spring 2012 MCAS Principal's Administration Manual will include instructions for indicating on a high school student's answer booklet that he or she is participating in STE testing for Koplik Award purposes. For future planning, please note that STE will become part of the eligibility determination for the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship beginning with the class of 2016 (students currently enrolled in grade 8). Eligibility for the Adams Scholarship is based on a student's first-time test scores. Please contact Student Assessment Services at 781-338-3625 or mcas@doe.mass.edu with questions about MCAS participation guidelines, and please direct all questions about the Koplik Award to Alexia Cribbs at 781-338-3581 or Koplik@doe.mass.edu.

Last Updated: January 9, 2012