MCAS Grade-Level and Competency Portfolio

Updated Fall 2022

Overview

The MCAS grade-level and competency portfolios are alternative methods of student assessment that use a collection of a student's work samples to measure the educational performance of a small number of students who possess skills at or near grade level, but who cannot demonstrate those skills on the standard MCAS tests, even with accommodations, due to a significant disability. The portfolios measure a student's knowledge of the academic knowledge, concepts, and skills outlined in the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for specific, required standards described in the MCAS Grade-Level and Competency Portfolio Manual .

If a student demonstrates in their grade-level or competency portfolio a level of achievement comparable to or higher than that of a student who has achieved Partially Meeting Expectations, Meeting Expectations, or Exceeding Expectation on the standard MCAS content area and grade-level test, the student will earn the corresponding achievement level. If a student in high school demonstrates in their competency portfolio the same, or higher, level of achievement as a student who has achieved the Competency Determination (CD) standard on the high school MCAS test in that subject, the student will be awarded a CD in that subject.

For competency portfolios based on "legacy" standards that were previously submitted at least once prior to the 2019-2020 school year and will be resubmitted in spring 2023, please review the following materials and requirements:

Links are provided below to the required portfolio forms for submission of grade-level and competency portfolios in each subject.

• MCAS Grade-Level and Competency Portfolio Manual

Required forms for completing grade-level and competency portfolios:

• Portfolio Cover Sheet (required for both grade-level and competency portfolios)

• Grade-Level Work Description Form (grades 3–8)

• High School Work Description Forms (grades 9–12+):

  • "Next-Generation" ELA

  • "Next-Generation" Mathematics

  • "Next-Generation" Biology

  • "Next-Generation" Introductory Physics

  • "Legacy" Chemistry

  • "Legacy" Technology/Engineering

For competency portfolios based on "legacy" standards that were previously submitted at least once prior to the 2019-2020 school year and will be resubmitted in spring 2023, please review the following materials and requirements:

• English Language Arts (ELA)

  • Previously submitted "legacy" ELA competency portfolios may continue to include evidence based on the 2001/2011 Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for English Language Arts and Literacy.

  • "Legacy" High School Work Description Label: English Language Arts

• Mathematics

  • Previously submitted "legacy" Mathematics competency portfolios may continue to include evidence based on the 2000/2011 Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for Mathematics.

  • "Legacy" High School Work Description Label: Mathematics

• Science and Technology/Engineering

  • Previously submitted "legacy" Science and Technology/Engineering competency portfolios may continue to include evidence based on the 2006 Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for Science and Technology/Engineering.

  • "Legacy" High School Work Description Label: Biology

  • "Legacy" High School Work Description Label: Introductory Physics

Grade-Level Portfolio Excerpts

Grade 4

• Operations and Algebraic Thinking

• Geometry

• Measurement and Data

• Number and Operations Base Ten

• Number and Operations Fractions

Grade 5

• Science and Technology/Engineering — Life Science

Excerpts for Sample Competency Portfolios

Last Updated: August 2, 2022