1. Grade-level and Competency Portfolios for 2014 MCAS-Alt
Heather Vigorito
Accommodations and Competency Portfolio Specialist

2. Who Should Be Considered for “Grade-level” and “Competency” Portfolios?
Any student with a disability who:
performs classroom work at or near grade-level expectations, but cannot fully demonstrate grade-level knowledge and skills on the MCAS test in that grade and subject
is attempting to earn a score of Needs Improvement or higher
Some examples of significant disabilities that could be appropriate for consideration:
physical, emotional/behavioral, health-related, deaf or blind, deaf-blind, CP, mild autism, or mild intellectual 2
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

3. What is a “Grade-Level Portfolio?”
Educator’s Manual, pp
What is a “Grade-Level Portfolio?”
(Grades 3-8)
Collection of work produced at grade-level complexity by a student who cannot show what they know on an MCAS test
IEP team determines how student participates in MCAS
Work samples must address a total of nine (9) standards for each subject required for the student’s grade.
Multiple work samples must be included for each standard.
Together, the work samples must demonstrate all aspects of the standard (i.e., not just one skill).
Refer to Educator’s Manual for requirements for ELA, Math, and STE.
Work will be scored by grade-level content experts.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

4. Changes in Grade Level Portfolios for the 2013-2014 School Year
Data charts are no longer required.
Work samples for English language arts (ELA) and Mathematics portfolios must be based on the 2013 Resource Guide
Work samples for Science and Technology/ Engineering (STE) portfolios must be based on the 2006 Resource Guide
Use the new Work Description label (p. 80)
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

5. “Competency Portfolio?”
Educator’s Manual, pp
What is a High School
“Competency Portfolio?”
A collection of work samples that allows a high school student with a disability to attempt to meet the MCAS graduation requirements and be eligible to receive a high school diploma.
Work samples must meet requirements described in the 2014 Educator’s Manual for MCAS-Alt (and on MCAS Appeals web page).
No data charts are required
Work may be cumulative, beginning as early as grade 9.
Portfolios are reviewed by high school content experts who provide detailed feedback after their review (Feedback Forms).
Portfolio may be submitted multiple times with additional work samples, if initial submission received a score of Failing and the student wishes to continue working towards a score of Needs Improvement or higher.
Otherwise, MCAS-Alt is not required after grade 10.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

6. Meeting Graduation Requirements
Educator’s Manual, p. 23
Meeting Graduation Requirements
Students must meet state and local graduation requirements to earn a diploma.
More than 250 high school students have met the Competency Determination (CD) requirement by earning a score of Needs Improvement or higher on an MCAS-Alt competency portfolio.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

7. Required to Earn a CD through the Competency Portfolio
To earn a score of Needs Improvement or above:
Work documenting all required standards must be submitted.
Work must demonstrate knowledge of all aspects of the required standards.
Work must be completed independently (i.e., above 75% independent)
Work must be equivalent to that of a student who scored Needs Improvement on MCAS test.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

8. How Should Schools Approach the Task of Compiling a Competency Portfolio?
Determine students for whom a competency portfolio would be appropriate.
Become familiar with submission requirements.
Identify potential resources and staff to assist you.
E.g., content area teachers, curriculum frameworks
Sample portfolio samples posted to MCAS-Alt and Appeals web pages
Instruct student based on standards required for the portfolio and collect samples of student’s work.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

9. ELA Competency Portfolio
Five essays on required topics
Outline, rough draft, revisions by student, additional draft(s)
Final draft
Student work must be based on grade-appropriate (high school) literature.
Student must respond to the assignment.
No plot summaries or “book reports”
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

10. Mathematics Competency Portfolio
Total of 14 mathematics learning standards must be addressed (all aspects of each standard).
All student work must be shown (i.e., the answer alone isn’t enough—must show thought process)
Work must demonstrate grade 10 level of complexity
Correct responses must be given for at least problems, and together all work samples for a given standard must demonstrate understanding of all aspects of the learning standard.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

11. Science and Tech/Engineering Competency Portfolio
All topics in the discipline must be included.
At least one standard in each topic, 10 standards in all
Student must show all work.
Work must demonstrate grade 10 level of complexity.
Responses must be accurate, and completed independently.
Together all work samples for a given standard must demonstrate understanding of all aspects of the learning standard.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

12. Also consider MCAS Retests, if possible
MCAS retests are an additional option for meeting the CD standard.
Students who previously took one or more standard MCAS tests should also consider taking retests, even if submitting competency portfolios (okay to do both after grade 10).
Students may also pursue an MCAS Performance Appeal.
Either a “Cohort Appeal” or “Portfolio Appeal,” depending on whether a cohort exists.
See
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

13. Resources 2014 MCAS-Alt Educator’s Manual
Grade-level and Competency Portfolio Requirements (Pp )
Work Description Labels (Pp , and in MCAS-Alt Forms and Graphs)
Feedback Forms for previously-submitted portfolios
Portfolio samples that scored Needs Improvement posted to MCAS-Alt and MCAS Appeals web pages
Math, ELA, and STE staff in your school/district can:
check that portfolio evidence is matched to specific standards
assist in adapting activities, as needed, for individual learners
plan and/or conduct instructional activities
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

14. Contact Information
MA Dept. of Elementary & Secondary Education Student Assessment Office –
Dan Wiener –
Heather Vigorito –
MCAS-Alt Website –
Measured Progress
MCAS Service Center –
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education