Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

Opportunity to Apply: MCAS Assessment Development Committees & MCAS Bias and Sensitivity Committee

To:Massachusetts Public School Educators
From:Michol Stapel, Associate Commissioner of Student Assessment
Date:August 23, 2023

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is seeking educators to serve as members of the MCAS Assessment Development Committees (ADCs) and MCAS Bias and Sensitivity Committee (BSC). This is a rewarding professional development opportunity for those interested in learning about and contributing their expertise to statewide assessments. Committee members are directly involved in assisting DESE with the process of developing and evaluating MCAS test questions and materials. Over 250 Massachusetts public school educators serve on the 20 committees. The BSC consists of approximately 25 educators and each ADC consists of approximately 12 educators. DESE is seeking members for the ADCs in the following content areas and grade levels:

  • Civics, Grade 8
  • English Language Arts (ELA), Grades 3–8 and 10
  • Mathematics, Grades 3–8 and 10
  • Science and Technology/Engineering (STE), Grades 5 and 8
  • High School Biology and Introductory Physics

Committee Member Qualifications

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. Educators who previously served or who currently serve as ADC or BSC members are welcome to reapply.

  • For ADCs, candidates should have content expertise, familiarity with the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks, and teaching experience in the grade and subject matter indicated on the application.
  • For the BSC, candidates should have training in diversity, equity, and inclusion and an understanding of bias and sensitivity issues as they relate to K–12 education, familiarity with the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks, and experience in the K–12 education environment.

ADC and BSC Members' Roles and Responsibilities

ADC members assist DESE in the review of test questions, scoring materials, passages (for ELA), and task scenarios (for science). Members review all test questions in their content area and grade level and make suggestions for revisions based on content accuracy, alignment to the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks, cognitive complexity, grade-level appropriateness, and instructional worthiness prior to field testing of all test questions. Committee members also review the questions with performance data after they are field tested.

BSC members also assist DESE with the review of test questions, scoring materials, passages (for ELA), and task scenarios (for science). Members review all test questions and make suggestions for revisions based on considerations of age, culture, ethnicity, gender, geography, languages spoken, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status prior to field testing of all test questions. Committee members also review the questions with performance data after they are field tested.

Membership Term and Meeting Days

The membership term will run for 3 years, from January 2024 through December 2026. Committee members are required to attend all assigned meeting days, which run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Educators must seek approval from their supervisors to serve on committees, with the expectation that members will attend all assigned meetings. Meetings will be held in-person and are expected to be located close to Route 495 between Wakefield and Marlborough, MA. The approximate numbers of meeting days for each ADC and the BSC are provided in the tables below.

ADC Meetings: Approximate Number of Meeting Days by Content Area
Content AreaGradeWinterSpringSummerFallTotal
Civics8NA2–3NA13–4
ELA3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 82–322–3NA6–8
ELA10325NA10
Mathematics3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8NA1–21–2NA2–4
Mathematics10NA45NA9
STE5 and 8NA22–31–25–7
BiologyHigh SchoolNA2327
Introductory PhysicsHigh SchoolNA2327
BSC Meetings: Approximate Number of Meeting Days
WinterSpringSummerFallTotal
467118
Note: Each BSC member will be required to attend a minimum of 7 meeting days per calendar year. A survey will be sent to members at the beginning of each year asking which dates they are able to attend.

Reimbursements, Stipends, and Professional Development Points

DESE will reimburse districts for substitute teacher costs up to $200/day during the school year. During the summer, a stipend of $200/day will be provided to committee members. In addition, members are reimbursed for mileage and tolls. During the school year, overnight accommodations are provided to those who live 55 or more miles away from the meeting site. For summer meetings only, members are not required to live more than 55 miles from the meeting site to be provided with overnight accommodations. Committee members also receive professional development points for their service.

How to Apply

The application deadline is Friday, September 29, 2023. Follow these steps to complete the application:

  1. Ask your supervisor if they will support you serving on an ADC or the BSC. You will be representing your school/district, higher education institution, or organization.

  2. Write a brief statement of interest (1–2 paragraphs) and save it as a Microsoft Word document or PDF. Name the document using this convention: "LastName-FirstName-Statement." The statement of interest should include:
    • why you want to serve on a committee
    • how you will bring a diverse perspective to the committee
    • your experience working with racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities, and any other relevant experiences

  3. Update and save your résumé as either a Microsoft Word document or PDF. Name the document using this convention: "LastName-FirstName-Resume." Your résumé should include:
    • your current position (including roles and responsibilities)
    • any degrees you have earned in relevant subject areas and/or other content expertise training and experiences
    • your experience working with a variety of student populations, including English learners and students with disabilities

    Complete the online application.
    Note: Your statement of interest and résumé will be required for the online application and must be submitted as either Microsoft Word documents or PDFs.

DESE expects to notify all applicants by early November about whether they have been selected to serve on a committee. Successful applicants will be sent additional information, including meeting dates and locations.

If applicants have any questions, please contact the appropriate staff listed below.

Thank you for your commitment to Massachusetts students and your interest in serving on these committees.

Last Updated: August 23, 2023

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