Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

Request for High School Principals to Order November MCAS Retest Materials by September 11, 2012

To:	Superintendents, High School Principals, and Directors of Charter Schools, Approved Private Special Education Schools, Educational Collaboratives, and Institutional Settings
Copy:	High School MCAS Test Coordinators
From:	Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D. Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
Date:	August 22, 2012

I am writing to request that high school principals order materials for the November retests by Tuesday, September 11, 2012. A response is required, even if no test materials are needed. For your reference, a schedule that lists dates for ordering test materials as well as other administration deadlines for the 2012-2013 school year is posted on the Department's website at www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/cal.html.

Ordering Information

Beginning Tuesday morning, September 4, principals can order materials at MCAS Service Center by following the steps below.

Select MCAS from the menu.
Select Enrollment Verification from the list of options.
Use the secure password sent in early January 2012.
Follow the online instructions.

Superintendents must ensure that private special education schools and educational collaboratives order sufficient quantities of test materials for their students who are in out-of-district placements.

Participation Guidelines and Other Resources

Students attempting to earn a Competency Determination are eligible to participate. Detailed participation guidelines (including guidelines for students on Educational Proficiency Plans) and a sample non-participation form and letter (for students who choose not to participate) in English and other languages are posted at www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/testadmin/retest/.

Security Requirements for Receiving Materials

Administrators' leadership in maintaining the security of test materials is critical to a successful test administration in schools. Prior to the receipt of materials on October 25, principals need to develop a plan for maintaining test security and formally communicate it to their superintendents. The security plan must include the following:

reviewing MCAS Test Security Requirements (Part I of the Principal's Administration Manual)
establishing a tracking system to monitor the chain of custody of secure test materials
designating a locked area for secure storage of test materials

If you have questions about ordering test materials or about your password to access the MCAS Service Center website, please contact the MCAS Service Center at 800-737-5103. If you have policy questions or questions about participation guidelines, call the Student Assessment Services Unit at 781-338-3625.

Last Updated: August 28, 2012