1. Tonight we hope to answer the following questions: What is the MCAS? What subjects are tested and when? What kinds of questions are on the MCAS? Can I see examples of test questions? How are the tests scored? How are test results used? What can I do as a parent to help?

2. What is MCAS? MCAS stands for Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System MCAS is designed to meet the requirements of the 1993 Education Reform Law. This law specifies that the testing program must test all public school students in Massachusetts. Testing is one way to measure something very valuable—a student’s learning. The results of the assessments are then used to guide school improvement efforts and to identify student needs. In other words, what students should know, what they are taught, and what they are tested on are all connected.

3. MCAS Schedule Testing Window English Language Arts (ELA) Grade 4 Long Composition March 31, 2009 Grade 4 Long Composition Make-Up April 7, 2009 Grade 4 Reading Comprehension April 1 – 14, 2009 Grades 3, 5 & 6 Reading Comprehension March 30, 2009 - April 14, 2009 Math Grades 3, 4, 5 & 6 May 11, 2009 – May 28, 2009 Science & Technology Grade 5 May 12, 2009 – May 28, 2009 History & Social Science Grade 5 May 13, 2009 – May 28, 2009

4. What kinds of questions are used on the MCAS? Multiple-choice questions are used in all subject area tests except the ELA Composition test. Students select the correct answer from four options. A correct answer is assigned a score of 1 point, and an incorrect answer is assigned a score of 0 points. Open-response questions are used in all subject area tests except the ELA Composition test. Depending on the subject area tested, students create a written response that consists of one or more paragraphs and/or a chart, table, diagram, illustration, or graph. Each answer receives a score from 0 to 4 points, based on scoring guides. Short-answer questions are used in only Mathematics tests. Students generate a brief response, which usually consists of a numeric solution or short statement. A correct answer is assigned a score of 1 point, and an incorrect answer is assigned a score of 0 points, based on scoring guides.

6. What can I do as a parent to help? http://www.brocktonpublicschools.com/page.cfm?p=1548 Make sure that your child …. gets a good night’s sleep has a nutritious breakfast is prompt and attends school daily Provide your child with support and encouragement Use the MCAS Search Tool for practice questions

7. T ogether E veryone A chieves M ore ! Hancock School GRADE 3 Ms. MacDonald / Mrs. Cormier / Ms. Tuholski / Room 4 Mrs. Wilson / Mrs. Gamble / Ms. Mitchell / Room 12 GRADE 4 Mrs. Arnone / Ms. Johnson / Room 1 Mrs. Brown / Mr. Prevett / Mrs. Sever / Room 14 GRADE 5 Mr. Clark / Mrs. Perillo / Room 18 Ms. Houle / Mrs. Kelliher / Room 16 GRADE 6 Mrs. Bibby / Ms. Costello / Mrs. Ford / Room 21