Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System
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Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (January 2007) |
The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) commonly called the MCAS (pronounced /ɛm kǣs/), is the Commonwealth's statewide standards-based assessment program developed in response to the Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993. State and federal law mandates that all students who are enrolled in the tested grades and who are educated with Massachusetts public funds participate in MCAS testing.
MCAS has three primary purposes: (1) to inform and improve curriculum and instruction; (2) to evaluate student, school, and district performance according to Massachusetts Curriculum Framework content standards and performance standards; and (3) to determine student eligibility for the Competency Determination requirement in order to award high school diplomas. If necessary, students are given multiple opportunities to pass the test (http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/about1.html?faq=4).
Massachusetts fulfills the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act by administering MCAS tests in English language arts and mathematics to students in grades 3-8 and 10. Additional MCAS tests are administered in Science and Technology/Engineering (grades 5, 8, 9/10) and History and Social Science (grades 5, 7, and 10/11).
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[edit] Types of Questions
The tests use four varieties of questions. The multiple-choice questions are included on all but the ELA Composition tests and require students to choose one answer from four given answers. These types of questions are machine scored.
The short-answer questions on the MCAS are only included on the mathematics portion. They require the student to give a short numerical answer or a brief statement.
Open-response questions are included on all MCAS tests but the ELA Composition. They require students to generate their own responses. Students create a one- or two-paragraph response in writing or in the form of a narrative or a chart, table, diagram, illustration, or graph, as appropriate. Students can receive up to four points for each open-response question.
Writing prompts are included only on ELA Composition tests and require students to respond by creating a written composition. Compositions are scored based on two things. For topic development, students are scored based on a six-score point scale, with students receiving from 2 to 12 points (the sum of scores from each of the two scorers). For Standard English conventions, students are scored based on a four-point scale, with students receiving from 2 to 8 points (the sum of the scores from each of the two scorers).
[edit] Grade levels
Students take different tests according to their grade level. In addition to these tests, students may be required to take tryouts and pilot tests. The following list is current as of spring 2007. It is required for a student to pass both the English Language Arts and Mathematics portions of the Grade 10 test in order to meet the Competency Determination requirement.
| Grade | Subject |
|---|---|
| 3 | Reading, Mathematics |
| 4 | English Language Arts Reading Comprehension and Composition, Mathematics |
| 5 | English Language Arts Reading Comprehension, Mathematics, Science and Technology/Engineering |
| 6 | English Language Arts Reading Comprehension, Mathematics |
| 7 | English Language Arts Reading Comprehension and Composition, Mathematics, History and Social Sciences |
| 8 | English Language Arts Reading Comprehension, Mathematics, Science and Technology/Engineering |
| 9 | Biology, Chemistry, Introductory Physics, or Technology/Engineering |
| 10 | English Language Arts Reading Comprehension and Composition, Mathematics, U.S. History (10/11) |
Note: Students in grades 9 and 10 take a Science and Technology/Engineering test in biology, chemistry, introductory physics, or technology/engineering.
[edit] Scoring
The MCAS scale ranges from 200 to 280. Performance levels correspond to the following score points on the scale:
| Performance Level | Definition |
|---|---|
| Advanced (260-280) | Students at this level demonstrate a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of rigorous subject matter and provide sophisticated solutions to complex problems. |
| Proficient (240-258) | Students at this level demonstrate a solid understanding of challenging subject matter and solve a wide variety of problems. |
| Needs Improvement (220-238) | Students at this level demonstrate a partial understanding of subject matter and solve some simple problems. |
| Warning/Failing (200-218) | Students at this level demonstrate a minimal understanding of subject matter and do not solve simple problems. |
10th graders who achieve an Advanced score in either the ELA or Mathematics section of the test, at least a Proficient on the other section, and have a score that puts them in the top 25% in their school district become eligible for the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship. Recipients receive a tuition waiver to attend state colleges and universities in Massachusetts. The waiver is in effect for 8 consecutive traditional semesters or 4 years.
[edit] References
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This article does not cite any references or sources. (March 2008) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
[edit] See also
- Massachusetts NAEP Results
- "Measuring Up: A Report on Education Standards and Assessments for Massachusetts" (Achieve, Inc.)
- TAAS in Texas
- STAR in California
- WASL in Washington State
- Regents Examinations in New York State
- FCAT in Florida
- CAPT in Connecticut
[edit] External links
- MCAS Curriculum Frameworks
- MCAS Released Test Items
- MCAS Results by School and District
- Massachusetts Office of Educational Quality and Accountability
