The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
2017 Student Performance Results
At the special meeting of the Board on October 23, 2017, I will present you with results from the spring 2017 MCAS tests, including the following:
Results from the first, baseline administration of the next-generation tests in grades 3-8 English language arts (ELA) and mathematics, including results by key districts and subgroups
Results from the legacy ELA and mathematics tests in grade 10, as well as science and technology/engineering (STE) tests in grades 5, 8, and high school, including a report on the progress of high school students toward meeting the state graduation requirements
Student results from the next-generation tests will be reported using the new achievement levels that the Board adopted in spring 2017 (Exceeding Expectations, Meeting Expectations, Partially Meeting Expectations, and Not Meeting Expectations). Approximately 60% of students in grades 3-8 took the next-generation tests on a computer, as we continue to phase in computer-based testing throughout the Commonwealth over the next few years.
The 2017 legacy tests, which remained paper-based, will continue to be reported using the achievement levels of Advanced, Proficient, Needs Improvement, and Warning/Failing.
Official district- and school-level MCAS and MCAS-Alt results are scheduled to be released on October 18. On October 24, districts will receive for distribution parent reports containing student-level results. Typically, the release of results is scheduled to coincide with the September Board meeting, but this year is unique given the standard setting that took place in August, which we discussed with you at the September meeting. In recognition of the needs of schools, districts, and parents to have results as soon as possible in the fall, we are releasing results in mid-October, between the September and October Board meetings.
Associate Commissioner Michol Stapel and MCAS Chief Analyst Bob Lee will join us for the discussion on October 24.
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