MCAS…It Counts!

A Guide for Parents of the Boston Public Schools

ATTENTION PARENTS: This document contains important information about your child's education. For a translated copy, please call 617-635-9435. Newest translations will be available soon. English Flyer

OGEYSIIN WAALIDKA: Waxa wargaddan ku yaal war muhim ah oo ku saabsan ilmahaaga waxbarashadiisa. 617-635-9435.

ATENCION PADRES: Este documento contiene informacion importante acerca de la educacion de su hijo/a. Para una copia traducida llame al 617-635-9435.

ATENSON PAIS: Es dukumentu konten informason inpurtanti sobri idukason di bu fidju. Pa un kopia na kridu kabuverdianu tilifona 617-635-9435.

PHU HUYNH XIN LUU Y: Van thu nay co nhung tin tuc quan trong ve su giao duc cua con em quy vi. Neu can ban dich, lien lac 617-635-9435.

ATENÇÃO PAIS: Este documento contém informação importante sobre a educação de sues filhos. Para traduzir, telefone para 617-635-9435.

PARAN ATANSYON: Dokiman sa-a gen enfomasyon enpotan osije edikasyon pitit ou. 617-635-9435.

Chinese translation in PDF. 617-635-9435

Visit the WGBH Eye on Education site for information, comments by Boston's Superintendent, educators and students.

Read the BPS Promotion Policy

WHAT are the MCAS tests?
WHO will take the MCAS tests?
WHEN will the tests be given?
WHY are these tests important?
HOW can I help my child do well?
If your child is learning English as a second language…
If your child is in Special Education…

MCAS Report for Individual School Results by Performance Level: 1998-2007   PDF.

WHAT are the MCAS tests?
The MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) tests are part of the State's education reform strategy. They test students' knowledge in Reading, English/Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, History/Social Science and Science/Technology/ Engineering. The questions are a mixture of multiple choice and open-ended (written) answers.
The tests were developed in alignment with the State's Curriculum Frameworks, which were also the basis for Boston's Citywide Learning Standards.

WHO will take the MCAS?
Students in grades 3 through 10 will take one or more sections of the test. Students in Grades 11 and 12 who have not yet passed the Grade 10 test in both ELA and Mathematics also will take retests.

Sample questions in PDF:
MCAS Grade 3
MCAS Grade 4 ELA
MCAS Grade 4 Math sample
MCAS Grade 5
MCAS Grade 6
MCAS Grade 7
MCAS Grade 8
MCAS Grade 8 Science sample
MCAS Grade 10 ELA
Grade 10 Math sample

WHEN will the tests be given?
The schedule for various sections of the MCAS for the 2007-2008 school year is as follows:

The schedule for remaining sections is as follows:

• October 1 - 31, 2007: MELA-O for ELL students in Kindergarten and ELL students in Grades 1 - 12 not assessed in spring 2007
• October 22 - 31, 2007: Retest for students who have not yet passed the Grade 10 test in both ELA and Mathematics
• November 6 - 8, 2007: ELA Retest for students who have not yet passed the Grade 10 test in ELA
• November 14 - 15, 2007: Mathematics Retest for students who have not yet passed the Grade 10 test in Mathematics
• February 25 - March 19, 2007: MELA-O for ELL students, Grades K - 12
• March 3 - 7, 2008: Retest for students who have not yet passed the Grade 10 test in both ELA and Mathematics
• March 10 - 19, 2008: MEPA-Reading/Writing, for ELL students, Grades 3 - 12
• March 24 - April 4, 2008: ELA Reading Comprehension, Grades 3, 5, 6 and 8
• March 25, 2008 (make-up April 2): ELA Composition, Grades 4, 7 and 10
• March 26 - April 4, 2008: ELA Reading Comprehension, Grades 4 and 7
• March 26 - 27, 2008: ELA Reading Comprehension, Grade 10.
• May 12 - May 29, 2008: Mathematics, Grades 3 - 8
• May 13 - May 29, 2008: Science & Technology / Engineering, Grades 5 and 8
• May 14 - May 29, 2008: History and Social Science Test, Grades 5 and 7
• May 21 - 22, 2008: Mathematics, Grade 10
• May 23 - 29, 2008: U.S. History Test, Grades 10 and 11 students enrolled in U.S. History I and II
• June 3 - 4, 2008: High School Science, Grades 9 and 10 students enrolled in Biology, Chemistry, Introductory Physics, or Technology / Engineering.

Some students with disabilities will instead participate in the MCAS Alternate Assessment that will be submitted by their school on April 18, 2008 (Grade 12) and May 9, 2008 (Grades 3 - 8 and 10).

WHY are these tests important?
Evaluation:   MCAS results help us measure how much your child is learning and identify areas where extra help is needed.

Promotion:   MCAS scores help determine whether or not your child is ready to be promoted to the next grade level.

Graduation:    In addition to local graduation requirements, students must pass (score Level 2 or higher) on both the Grade 10 ELA and Mathematics sections in order to earn a high school diploma. Students who do not pass these sections in Grade 10 will receive additional supports and be retested in Grade 11 and 12 (if necessary). Beginning with the Class of 2010 (students currently in Grade 10), students also will have to pass a Science or Technology/Engineering test in order to graduate.

NOTE:   If a student has taken the Grade 10 MCAS at least three times or the MCAS Alternate Assessment at least twice and meets other course and attendance criteria, he/she may be eligible to have an MCAS appeal filed on his/her behalf by the Superintendent. Check with your school for more information.

HOW can I help my child do well?

• Make sure your child attends school on every testing day.
• Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep.
• Encourage your child to eat a healthy breakfast.
• Emphasize that these tests are important.
• Remind your child to listen closely to all instructions.
• Remind your child to answer as many questions as possible.
• Be positive! Don't let your child get discouraged.

WHERE can I get more information?
The best sources of information are your child's teachers and principal.
The State has an MCAS "help line" number (1-866-MCAS-220) and a web site (www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/) to answer questions.

The following BPS offices will also be helpful:

1. Research, Assessment & Evaluation: 617-635-9450
2. Language Learning and Support Services: 617-635-9435
3. Special Education: 617-635-8599

If your child is an English Language Learner (ELL):

• All English Language Learner (ELL) students - including those in general and special education as well as those in programs for English Language Learners - are required to take the MEPA and MELA-O Assessments.
• Your child is required to take the MCAS in English unless he or she has started school in the continental United States for the first time this school year. For ELL students in their first year of schooling in the U.S., participation is optional in the following MCAS tests: Reading/English Language Arts; History/Social Science, Grades 5, 7; and U.S. History, Grades 10, 11.
• Spanish-speaking ELL students in Grades 10-12 who have been in school in the continental U.S. for fewer than three years have the option to participate in the MCAS Spanish/English Mathematics Grade 10 and Mathematics Retest if they can read and write at or near grade level in Spanish.

If your child is in Special Education:

• Contact your child's school or the Special Education Department (617-635-8599) about testing policies for Special Education students.
• Almost all Special Education students are required to take the tests, but procedures can be modified to suit your child's needs.

More detailed information about testing requirements and procedures for ELL and Special Education students is available at http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/

Massachusetts Dept. of Education
MCAS Hotline:   1-866-MCAS-220