Select language, current language English
Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

Training Opportunities

Below is a list of current training opportunities offered by the Office of Student Assessment Services. Register for a session by clicking the link in the "Training Dates/Times and Registration Links" column below. Recordings of Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) training sessions will be posted in the MCAS Resource Center approximately one week after the session date.

Sessions and Topics to be CoveredTraining Dates/Times Registration LinksIntended AudienceIntended Level of ExperienceRecommended Read-Ahead Materials
Office Hours for November High School ELA and Math Tests Wednesday, September 23 at 9:30–10:30 a.m. Principals, school test coordinators, district test coordinators All levels
Overview of MCAS Administration Tasks for School and District Test Coordinators Tuesday, September 30, 2026 at 9:30–11:00 a.m. Principals, school test coordinators, district test coordinators All levels
MCAS-Alt Administrators Overview
Topics include:
  • Updated criteria for participation in the MCAS-Alt.
  • Important dates and procedures.
  • Status of the "one percent" cap on alternate assessment participation
 Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 3:00–4:00 p.m. For administrators or supervisors of teachers submitting the MCAS-Alt All Levels Suggested:
2027 Principal's Administrations Manual (PAM), Decision-Making Tool for MCAS Participation and Alternate Assessment Participation Tool
Grades 5 and 8 STE 2027 Revised Test Design Webinar
  • Revised test design
  • Components of tasks
  • Support resources
  • FAQ
 Friday, October 2 at 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. STE curriculum coordinators/administrators All levels -
Introduction to MCAS-Alt: Core Concepts A and B
Offered in two parts due to the breadth and duration of the training. Conducted on the same day, with one part in the morning and one in the afternoon. All educators conducting the MCAS-Alt for the first time must take both sessions.
Topics include:
  • Important guidelines for creating portfolio strands, collecting evidence and data, using the Online Forms and Graphs program, and conducting the MCAS-Alt Skills Surveys
 Monday, October 5, 2026
Core Concepts A: 9:00–10:30 AM
Core Concepts B: 1:00–2:30 PM 		For teachers who have never conducted the MCAS-Alt All Levels Suggested:
2027 Educators Manual
MCAS-Alt: ELA-Writing
  • The ELA Writing session will describe the requirements for ELA Writing in all grades.
 Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 9:00–10:30 a.m. Available to all educators conducting MCAS-Alt assessments this year, regardless of experience. All Levels Suggested:
2027 Educators Manual
MCAS-Alt: Science/Technology and Engineering (STE)
  • This session will describe the requirements for this subject in grades 5, 8, and high school.
 Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at 9:00–10:30 a.m. Available to all educators conducting MCAS-Alt assessments this year, regardless of experience. All Levels Suggested:
2027 Educators Manual
Overview of MCAS Administration Tasks for Technology Coordinators Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at 9:30–11:00 a.m. Technology coordinators All levels MCAS Student Kiosk Technology Guide
MCAS-Alt: Civics
  • This session will describe the requirements for this subject in grade 8.
 Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 9:00–10:30 a.m. Available to all educators conducting MCAS-Alt Civics assessments for grade 8 this year, regardless of experience. All Levels Suggested:
2027 Educators Manual
MCAS-Alt 2026-2027 Updates
  • Updates include new and notable information for the 2027 MCAS-Alt submission.
 Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 9:00–10:30 a.m. For teachers with recent experience conducting the MCAS-Alt. Previous experience conducting the MCAS-Alt Suggested:
2027 Educators Manual
Grades 3–5 ELA 2027 Revised Test Design Webinar
  • Revised elementary test design
  • New test question types
  • Support resources including overview of practice tests and FAQ
 Monday, November 2 at 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Elementary educators, ELA curriculum coordinators/administrators All levels -
Grades 6–8 ELA 2027 Revised Test Design Webinar
  • Revised middle school test design
  • New test question types
  • Support resources including overview of practice tests and FAQ
 Friday, November 6 at 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Middle school educators, ELA curriculum coordinators/administrators All levels -

Last Updated: September 23, 2026

Top