Spring MCAS Test

Administration

Parents:
How YOU Can Support at
Home!

Why Is MCAS Security Important?

To protect the validity and integrity of test
results
When MCAS scores are invalidated, parents,
students, educators, and the community are
deprived of important information about
student achievement...
--Commissioner Mitchell D. Chester, Spring 2012

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Invalidations of MCAS Results

Year

# of Student Score Invalidations Because of

Student Cheating, Accommodation(s) Given
to Ineligible Students, Teacher Coaching

2009
2010

598
1,350

2011
2012

354
300*
* Of these students, 103 had results invalidated because
they used electronic devices, including cell phones.

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Top 10 Types of Security

Violations in Spring 2012
Cell phones

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

Improper use of the

read-aloud
accommodation (#26)
Cheat sheet/copying
Working in
wrong session

Cheat sheet
MP3 player
Tweeting
Working in
wrong session
Posting to Facebook

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

A Secure Testing EnvironmentBe Aware:

There will be no breaks scheduled midsession
Teachers will plan for:
appropriate testing spaces
students who may need more time
lunch, recess, restrooms

Cover/remove prohibited classroom displays

No visitors
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Confidentiality of Booklets
Students may NOT
Review test booklets or answer booklets
before, during, or after testing.
Work in any session, other than the one
assigned.
Have access to tests before testing.
Duplicate test materials.
Retain, recycle, remove, or destroy test
materials.
Use the bathroom with other students.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Test Administrators Responsibilities Are:

1. To follow directions and read scripts verbatim.

2. Supervise students at all times.

3. Prevent use of prohibited materials (e.g., cell
phones).

4. Focus full attention on the testing room.

5. Not to coach students or alter responses.
6. Read students responses to see how they are
performing.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Eligibility for Test Accommodations

for Students with Disabilities
IEP or 504 plan must specify the
accommodations to be used for testing.
Accommodations may not be provided if
IEP has not yet been signed by the
students parent/guardian.
Accommodations may be provided if a
504 plan is being developed for a student.

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

If a Student Refuses an
Accommodation
Document refusal in students file.
Do not ask the student to sign a statement.

Continue to make accommodation available for

remainder of test administration.
Amend IEP/504 plan for future testing.
It may be appropriate to list the
accommodation in the IEP/504 plan as
requested by student or remove it.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Accommodations on MCAS Tests

for ELL Students
Bilingual word-to-word dictionaries authorized
for use on MCAS tests
May be used by any student who is or was ELL
Specialized translations (glossaries) for Math and STE

Selected publishers/distributors and online resources

included
Electronic translators prohibited

ELLs with disabilities receive test

accommodations per their IEP/504 plan
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Whats New in Reporting?

New Report Cards

www.doe.mass.edu/apa/accountability/reportcard/
Highlights accountability, growth, achievement
Sent to parents/guardians

Reporting by school type on School Profiles

E.g., elementary, middle, high school, K8

Reports include new standards

Grades 38: new standards only

High school reports: crosswalk between old and new

State data files include

Years in School
Years in District

Educational collaboratives receive summary reports.

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Spring 2015 MCAS Official Results

Reporting Schedule Mid-September
Districts access official MCAS student, school,
and district results on the Departments
Security Portal
One day later:
Districts receive shipment of MCAS and MCAS-Alt

Parent/Guardian Reports

Public release of official school and district results

by the Department

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

New for 2013

Historically Anchoring Growth
New system:
We will calculate growth using historical
academic peers.
2015 student gains will be compared to all the
MCAS scores between 2010 and 2014.
The average student, classroom and district
can now show growth above the 50th
percentile.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

15

Major Differences Between MCAS

and PARCC Accommodations
PARCC is a timed test.
Extended time accommodation for students
with disabilities and ELLs

Most MA nonstandard accommodations are

available for PARCC.
Not allowed for PARCC: ELA graphic
organizers and individualized reference
sheets/checklists
No Braille edition for the field test
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

What YOU can do!

Make sure your child gets a good nights

sleep.
Give your child a hearty breakfast on the day
of testing.
Encourage your child to relax, but to try his
or her best.
Encourage your child to answer all
questions.
Send them to school with plenty to read for
when he/she is done with the test.
Be sure to get medical documentation if your
child must be absent.