MCAS It Counts! A Guide For

mcas . . . it counts! a guide for boston public schools families · 2008-2009 what are the mcas tests? the mcas (massachusetts c

MCAS . . . It Counts!
A Guide for Boston Public Schools Families · 2008-2009
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, 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.
WHEN will the tests be given?
The schedule for various sections of the MCAS for the 2008-2009 school
year is as follows:
*
October 1 – 29, 2008: MELA-O for ELL students in Kindergarten and
ELL students in Grades 1 - 12 not assessed in spring 2008
*
October 20 – 29, 2008: MEPA-Reading/Writing for ELL students in
Grade 3 and ELL students in Grades 4 - 12 not assessed in spring
2008
*
November 5-7, 2008: ELA Retest for students who have not yet
passed the Grade 10 test in ELA
*
November 12 – 13, 2008: Mathematics Retest for students who have
not yet passed the Grade 10 test in Mathematics
*
February 2-3, 2009: Biology to students in Grades 9-10 who are on
a block schedule and have completed a course in biology or
students in Grades 10 or 11 who have not earned a CD in
Science/Technology/Engineering
*
February 23 – March 20, 2009: MELA-O for ELL students, Grades K -
12
*
March 3 – 9, 2009: Retest for students who have not yet passed the
Grade 10 test in both ELA and Mathematics
*
March 9 – 20, 2009: MEPA-Reading/Writing, for ELL students, Grades
K - 12
*
March 30 – April 14, 2009: ELA Reading Comprehension, Grades 3, 5,
6 and 8
*
March 31, 2009 (make-up April 7): ELA Composition, Grades 4, 7 and
10
*
April 1 – April 14, 2009: ELA Reading Comprehension, Grades 4 and
7
*
April 1 – 2, 2009: ELA Reading Comprehension, Grade 10
*
May 11 – May 28, 2009: Mathematics, Grades 3 – 8
*
May 12 – May 28, 2009: Science & Technology / Engineering, Grades
5 and 8
*
May 19 – 20, 2009: Mathematics, Grade 10
*
June 4 – 5, 2009: 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
17, 2009 (Grade 12) and May 8, 2009 (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 (scaled score of 220 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 11), 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 previously (at least
three times for ELA/math or once for Science) 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 (1-866-622-7220) and a web site www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/
to answer questions.
*
The following BPS offices also will be helpful:
Research, Assessment & Evaluation: 635-9450
English Language Learners: 635-9435
Special Education: 635-8599
ATTENTION PARENTS: This document contains important information about
your child's education. For a translated copy, please call
617-635-9435.
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.

If your child is learning English as a second language…
*
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 after March 1, 2008. For ELL students in their first
year of schooling in the U.S., participation is optional in MCAS
Reading/English Language Arts.
*
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
www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/.

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