Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

Student Assessment Update: June 17, 2013

Release of 2013 Preliminary MCAS and MCAS Alternate Assessment Results

Full preliminary results in English Language Arts (ELA) and preliminary multiple-choice results in Mathematics and grades 5 and 8 Science and Technology/Engineering (STE) are scheduled to be available on June 18. (Please note that 2013 Student Growth Percentiles for ELA will not be released on June 18. We will keep you updated on their availability.) Preliminary MCAS-Alt results are also scheduled to be available on June 18. The goal in providing preliminary results is to give instructional staff feedback on student, school, and district performance before the end of the school year. While staff are encouraged to use preliminary student data for planning purposes, aggregated data may not be shared with the public until the official release of school and district results in September. For more information on the release of MCAS results, please see the recently posted Release of 2013 MCAS and MCAS Alternate Assessment Results and Accountability Data that is available on the Department's website. This memorandum includes a link to the MCAS and Accountability Data Review and Release Schedule.

Multiple-Choice Results Interpretive Guide

A Multiple-Choice Results Interpretive Guide for Mathematics and Grades 5 and 8 STE will be available in DropBox Central in the Department's Security portal at https://gateway.edu.state.ma.us on June 18. The interpretive guide is designed to provide guidance in interpreting preliminary multiple-choice results that will be posted in the dropbox on the same day.

Feedback on MCAS Administrative Manuals

If you have suggestions for improving our MCAS administration manuals, such as the Principal's Administration Manuals (PAMS) or the Test Administration Manuals (TAMS), we welcome your feedback at mcas@doe.mass.edu through the end of June.

Important Upcoming Dates

June 18 (by 5:00 p.m.):
- Full preliminary ELA results and preliminary multiple-choice results for grades 3-8 and 10 Mathematics and grades 5 and 8 STE files available in DropBox Central
- Preliminary MCAS-Alt results available in DropBox Central
- ELA Compositions posted online at MCAS Service Center
June 18: Multiple-Choice Results Interpretive Guide available in DropBox Central
June 21 (by 5:00 p.m.): Full preliminary ELA results and preliminary Mathematics and grades 5 and 8 STE reports in Edwin Analytics
July 1: Schools may begin contacting the MCAS Service Center at 800-737-5103 with questions about preliminary student results.
August 7 and 8: Reporting teleconferences (register at MCAS Service Center)

About this Update

The Student Assessment Services Update provides important information about the state's testing programs. Please email your feedback to mcas@doe.mass.edu. Principals, heads of school, MCAS test coordinators, and ELL directors received this email based on contact information that was submitted to the Department. To change your email address, please follow the instructions below:

Public schools: Submit updates to your District-Level Directory Administrator, who is responsible for submitting updates to the Department. A listing of Directory Administrators is posted at www.doe.mass.edu/infoservices/data/diradmin/list.aspx.
Non-public schools and collaboratives: Submit updates (along with your District & School Code) to the Department via email at diradmin@doe.mass.edu.

Last Updated: June 19, 2013