MCAS Grade-Level and Competency Portfolio

Updated Fall 2023

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. Participation in this assessments fulfill the MCAS participation requirements and 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.

• MCAS Grade-Level and Competency Portfolio Manual

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: September 12, 2023