The MCAS test development process involves an extensive review and field testing before each test question (item) counts toward students' scores. It takes a total of two to three years for each question to be initially written, reviewed, and edited (by multiple educator committees, experts, and editorial staff), field tested by Massachusetts students, and then reviewed again with statistical information. Each step in the process is designed to ensure that test results are valid and reliable. The following graphic shows a simplified version of the development process for a single MCAS question.
The order of the steps varies slightly across content areas but always includes each of the processes outlined in the above graphic. Additionally, ELA passages are also reviewed by both content and bias & sensitivity committees prior to questions being written.
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ADCs (content committees) are made up of Massachusetts educators that assist the Department in the review of MCAS questions, scoring materials, and ELA passages. Each MCAS test has an ADC committee. The current committee members are listed on the Department's website: ELA, Mathematics, STE, and Civics. The role of ADC members is to review testing materials prior to field-testing and make suggestions and refinements to the test questions. This review of testing materials includes ensuring alignment to the standards, grade-level appropriateness, instructional worthiness, and content accuracy. After field-testing, ADC members review the materials with field-test performance data.
The BSC is made of Massachusetts educators that assist the Department with the review of all MCAS questions and ELA passages. All questions and passages are reviewed before they are field tested and again with their field-test performance data. Members review questions and passages for bias and sensitivity concerns based on considerations including ability, age, culture, ethnicity, gender, geography, languages spoken, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. Members identify and make recommendations to the Department for questions and passages with potential bias or sensitivity issues.
Applications for the 2027-2029 MCAS Assessment Development Committees and the MCAS Bias and Sensitivity Committee Are Now Being Accepted
DESE is seeking educators to serve as members of the MCAS Assessment Development Committees (ADCs) and MCAS Bias and Sensitivity Committee (BSC). ADC members are directly involved in assisting DESE with the process of developing and evaluating MCAS test questions and materials. DESE is seeking members for the ADCs in the following content areas and grade levels:
The BSC members also assist DESE with the review of test questions, scoring materials, passages (for ELA), and task scenarios (for STE) for a variety of bias and sensitivity concerns.
Please see information about committee members' roles and responsibilities and how to apply . DESE is committed to equity and valuing the unique and diverse characteristics and experiences of all educators and students. We strongly encourage educators of color and educators with experience working with racially, ethnically, linguistically, and socioeconomically diverse students to apply. The due date to apply is Friday, October 2, 2026. Please help us spread the word by forwarding this information to your colleagues.
Last Updated: August 14, 2026