1. Project Update: Next-generation MCAS
2016 MASC/MASS Joint Conference Resort and Conference Center, Hyannis, MA 
Jeff Wulfson, Deputy Commissioner
Maureen LaCroix, Special Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner
Jass Stewart, Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff
November 3, 2016
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

2. The 1993 “Grand Bargain”
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

3. MA students are #1 in the country
2005
2007
2009
2011
2013
2015
Grade 4 Reading
1st
1st*
Grade 8 Reading
Grade 4 Math
Grade 8 Math
Source: The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card
* Statistically tied with other states
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

4. MA students are globally competitive
2011 TIMSS (8th-grade students)
2nd*
Science
5th*
Math
2012 PISA (15-year-old students)
4th
Reading
7th
Science literacy
10th
Source: Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS); Program for International Student Assessment (PISA)
* Statistically tied with another country
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

5. The need for a next-generation MCAS?
In 1998, 4th, 8th, and 10th-graders took the first operational MCAS tests
In 2001, 10th graders (class of 2003) were first class required to take the high school tests for graduation
MCAS was designed to ensure a basic level of knowledge and literacy for high school graduates
1/3 of students passing MCAS and graduating from MA public high schools placed in college remediation courses
Entry-level jobs requiring higher levels of cognitive skills
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

6. State Board of Education vote to develop a next-generation MCAS
MA “test drove” PARCC, introducing districts to a computer-based assessment aligned to college- and career-ready standards
MA Board voted in November 2015 to develop next-generation MCAS, using the best of MCAS and PARCC
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

7. What does “next-generation” mean?
Computer-based
Stronger alignment to the Massachusetts learning standards
New item types that more deeply assess both skills and knowledge
Sending clear signals to students, parents, and educators about readiness for work at the next level
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

8. Timeline to update MCAS and the state’s learning standards
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

9. Next-generation MCAS workgroups and committees
Board Assessment Committee
Digital Learning Advisory Council
Project Management Workgroup
Test Content Review Panels
MCAS Technical Advisory Committee
Project Communications Workgroup
Standard Setting Committee
Procurement Management Workgroup
School and District Accountability and Assistance Advisory Council
Test Administration Workgroup
High School Testing Workgroup
History and Social Science Workgroup
ELA and Mathematics Standards Review Panel
PARCC Consortium Committee
MCAS Accessibility Workgroup
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

10. Standard Setting Committee: Key points of discussion
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

11. Standard Setting Committee’s draft policy-level descriptors
Exceeding Expectations
Students performing at this level on this test exceed grade-level expectations for knowledge, skills, and understanding and are academically well prepared to succeed at the next grade level.
Meeting Expectations
Students performing at this level on this test meet grade-level expectations for knowledge, skills, and understanding and are academically prepared to succeed at the next grade level.
Partially Meeting Expectations
Students performing at this level on this test partially meet grade-level expectations for knowledge, skills, and understanding. These students may need coordinated assistance and/or additional instruction to succeed at the next grade level.
Not Yet Meeting Expectations
Students performing at this level on this test did not meet grade-level expectations for knowledge, skills, and understanding. These students need substantial coordinated intervention and/or additional instruction to succeed at the next grade level.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

12. Transition to computer-based testing
2017: Grades 4 and 8 ELA and Math
2018: Grades 4, 5, 6, and 8 ELA, Math and STE
2019: Grades 3-8 & 10 ELA and Math, plus 5 & 8 STE
Paper based tests will continue to be available as an individual student accommodation
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

13. Testing mode decisions for school districts – ELA/math MCAS tests
352 of 405 districts responding
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

14. ELA and math test content
Combination of legacy MCAS items, PARCC items, and new items to be developed
All items to be reviewed by Massachusetts educators for curriculum alignment
Test designs have been published on website:
Sample practice tests coming soon
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

15. STE transition timeline
STE MCAS Transition Timeline can be found at
Takes 2-3 years to develop new items
Grades 5 & 8 tests span grades: (3, 4, & 5) and (6, 7, & 8)
For MCAS purposes, 3 years to fully transition to new standards for Grades 5 & 8
Katie

16. Decisions regarding high school testing program
Legacy 10th-grade MCAS extended to class of 2020
Class of 2021 first cohort to take next-generation MCAS as graduation requirement – this year’s 8th graders
Key decisions still to be made:
Grade 11 CCR test?
Add history/social sciences assessment?
Which science subjects to include?
Should CD move to grade 11?
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

17. Next-generation MCAS training and resources
Test(s)
Topics
Training Dates
Audience
MCAS grades 3–8 tests (CBT only)
Initial guidance on computer-based testing
Conference call session: September 19
Districts new to CBT; districts with questions on CBT decision/waiver
MCAS & MCAS-Alt
Accessibility features and accommodations for 2017 MCAS tests; features of the MCAS-Alt
Face-to-face sessions: October 4, 5, 6, 13
Administrators who supervise special education staff
MCAS gr. 3–8 and high school tests
Technology-related pre-administration tasks
Face-to-face or online: TBD “boot camp”
Remote: two sessions in January, dates TBD
MCAS test coordinators, technology coordinators
MCAS grades 3–8 tests
New test designs and related information
Conference calls (separately for elementary and middle schools): early Dec.
Principals, curriculum coordinators
MCAS test security and administration protocols
Face-to-face: Feb 15, 16 Remote: Feb 13, 14
MCAS test coordinators
MCAS high school tests
MCAS test security and administration protocols for high schools
Remote sessions: February 2, 3
Training modules on test coordination and technology
Online training modules (winter)
Computer-based practice tests for next-gen tests available beginning in January
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

18. More information Contact
Jass Stewart, Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff, Office of the Commissioner ,
Visit
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education