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Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

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.

Required forms for completing grade-level and competency portfolios:

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:

Grade-Level Portfolio Excerpts

Grade 4

Grade 5


Excerpts for Sample Competency Portfolios

Last Updated: August 2, 2022

 
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