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Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

Graphic Organizers, Checklists, and Supplemental Reference Sheets, for Use by Students with Disabilities

The approved graphic organizers, checklists, and supplemental reference sheets listed in the table below are for use by students with disabilities who have this Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) accommodation (A9 from the Accessibility and Accommodations Manual) listed in their IEPs or 504 plans. The Department encourages schools to familiarize students with these tools, since students should be comfortable using their graphic organizer or reference sheet during MCAS testing.

Only the approved ELA organizers that include text and supplemental mathematics reference sheets listed below may be used for ELA and Mathematics MCAS testing and text or graphics may not be added. It is permissible to remove selected text or graphics. ELA graphic organizers without text (e.g., paper with only lines, arrows, boxes, dots) may be used without the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (DESE) approval. For some grades, there are multiple organizers that are approved that can be used for students with disabilities. The selection of each option is based upon student's need and which organizer the student is most familiar with.

The sample Science and Technology/Engineering (STE) reference sheets listed below may be used as is or may be used with selected text and graphics removed. Schools must submit a completed Customized References Request Cover Sheet for approval for students to use additional references, text, or graphics. Requests should be no longer than 3 pages.

For students with the A9 accommodation, the supplemental reference sheets and ELA organizers dated for the 2024-25 school year may be used for the spring 2026 MCAS tests. No changes (additions or removal of text) will be made this year. DESE is in the process of updating these documents to meet new accessibility requirements; updated versions will be posted to this webpage on a rolling basis and will not include any content changes.

To request a different file format, please email mcas@mass.gov .

Approved ELA Graphic Organizers


Approved Civics Graphic Organizer


Approved Supplemental Mathematics Reference Sheets


Sample STE Reference Sheets


Note: If you have a problem printing a graphic organizer or reference sheet, please call Student Assessment at 781-338-3625.

Last Updated: September 9, 2026

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