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Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

Student Assessment Updates

Principals, MCAS test coordinators, special education directors, and EL program directors automatically receive the Student Assessment Update based on contact information submitted to the Department. To change your email address or to add another staff member who serves in one of these roles, please follow the instructions below:

  • Public school districts, public schools, charter public schools, educational collaboratives, approved private special education schools, and alternative education programs: Submit the new email address to your District-Level Directory Administrator.
  • Test sites, adult education programs, out-of-state schools, SEIS-DYS programs: Email your updates to ESEDirectoryAdministrator@Mass.Gov (be sure to include your 8 digit school code and school name).

Others who wish to subscribe can use the subscribe and unsubscribe links in the footer of one of the editions below. Please contact mcas@mass.gov with any questions or comments.

2024

  • November 14, 2024

    For All Schools
    1. ACCESS for ELLs Test Coordinator Training Webinars
    2. Intent to Seek a Waiver from the One-Percent Limit on Alternate Assessments
    3. MCAS-Alt Participation Tool Office Hours
    4. Reminders from Previous Updates

    For Grade 8
    1. Reminders from Previous Updates

    For High Schools
    1. Returning Paper-Based Testing (PBT) Materials from the November 2024 Retests
    2. Student Registration for the February Science Tests

  • November 6, 2024, Special Edition

  • October 30, 2024, Special Edition

    For Grade 8
    1. Operational MCAS Grade 8 Civics Test in Spring 2025
    2. Results and Released Items from the 2024 MCAS Civics Field Test
    3. New MCAS-Alt for Civics (Reminder from Sept. 4 Update)

  • October 29, 2024

    For All Schools
    1. MCAS Portal Training Sessions
    2. Retrieving Electronic Copies of MCAS Parent/Guardian Reports
    3. Retrieving Students' MCAS Assessment History and CD Status in Edwin Analytics
    4. Updated DropBox Central Interface
    5. Reminders from Previous Updates

    For High Schools
    1. November Retest Administration Dates
    2. Reminders for Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the November Retests

  • October 18, 2024

    For All Schools
    1. Pre-Administration Tasks for Fall 2024
    2. MCAS Portal User Accounts
    3. Installing the MCAS Student Kiosk on Student Devices
    4. New MCAS Resource Center Now Available
    5. Reminder: Upcoming Training Sessions

  • October 1, 2024

    For All Schools
    1. Release of 2024 MCAS Results
    2. ACCESS for ELLs
    3. Reminders from the Previous Update

    For High Schools
    • Test Administration Manuals for November 2024 Retests Now Available
    • PearsonAccess Next Passwords and Accounts: Confirm Accounts at This Time
    • Availability of TestNav; Requests to Test Outside Regular Hours for the November Retests
    • Reminder that Grade 10 ELA Released Essays from Spring 2024 MCAS Are Available in PAN 
    • Class of 2025 John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Information Available Soon
    • MCAS Performance Appeals
    • Reminders from the Previous Update

  • September 17, 2024

    For All Schools
    1. Crosswalk of Terminology for New MCAS Systems
    2. Update School and District Profiles by September 23
    3. MCAS Alternate Assessment (MCAS-Alt) Fall Training Sessions
    4. ACCESS for ELLs
    5. Reminders from the Previous Update

    For Grades 3–8
    1. Grades 5 and 8 Science and Technology/Engineering (STE) Field Test
    2. Reminder: Operational Grade 8 MCAS Civics Test in Spring 2025

    For High Schools
    1. Recording and Slides of the November Retest Administration Training Now Available
    2. Infrastructure Trial Window for the November Retests Opens September 23
    3. November Retest Technology Support Prior to Computer-Based Testing
    4. Updated High School Science Instructional Guidelines 
    5. Reminders from Previous Updates

  • September 4, 2024

    For All Schools
    1. About this Update
    2. Testing Schedule
    3. New MCAS Contract and New Systems beginning in 2025
    4. 2024 Assessment and Accountability Reporting Schedule
    5. Information for New Test Coordinators
    6. ACCESS for ELLs
    7. Reminder: Accessibility and Accommodations Workgroup Invite

    For Grades 3–8
    1. Operational Grade 8 MCAS Civics Test in Spring 2025
    2. Reminder: Soliciting Input on Approved Graphic Organizers for the Grade 8 MCAS Civics Test

    For High Schools
    1. Reminder of Updated CD Standard for Students in the Classes of 2026–2030
    2. Reminders from the Previous Update: November Retests

  • August 27, 2024, Special Edition

    For High Schools
    1. About this Update
    2. Schedule for Testing and Administration Deadlines
    3. Student Registration Window: September 16–27
    4. TestNav System Requirements and Updated App Available
    5. Administration Training Session on September 9
    6. Infrastructure Trial Window: September 23–October 29
    7. Process to Request a Waiver from the MCAS CBT Expectation for November Retests: Submit by September 13
    8. MCAS BYOD Participation: Respond by October 4

  • July 30, 2024, Special Edition

    For All Schools
    1. MCAS Discrepancy Reporting Window: August 7–12
    2. Accessibility and Accommodations Workgroup Invite

    For Grade 8
    1. Soliciting Input on Approved Graphic Organizers for the Grade 8 MCAS Civics Test

  • June 18, 2024

    For All Schools
    1. Spring 2024 Thank You and Planning Ahead
    2. MCAS Early Release Results in PAN
    3. ACCESS for ELLs
    4. Reminders from the Previous Update

    For High Schools
    1. MCAS Performance Appeals
    2. Reminder: MCAS Grade 10 English Language Arts Results

  • June 4, 2024

    For All Schools
    1. MCAS Discrepancy Reporting Window: August 7–12
    2. MCAS Constructed Response and Essay Training Webinars – Mathematics Materials Now Available
    3. Update on the MCAS Contract
    4. ACCESS for ELLs
    5. MCAS Alternate Assessment Results
    6. Reminder: Initial Release of Next Year's Testing Schedule

    For Grades 3–8
    1. Grade 8 Civics Field Test Reminders

    For High Schools
    1. Tasks to Complete after High School Science Testing
    2. MCAS Grade 10 English Language Arts Early Release Results Now Available in PAN

  • May 21, 2024

    For All Schools
    1. Initial Release of Next Year's Testing Schedule
    2. Steps to Complete after Testing
    3. Webinar on Using MCAS Early Release Data Files
    4. Preliminary 2024 MCAS-Alt Results Available Electronically on June 10
    5. MCAS Constructed Response and Essay Informational Webinars
    6. ACCESS for ELLs Post-Reporting Data Validation Deadline: May 23, 2024
    7. Reminder: Updates to MCAS Item Release for Spring 2024

    For High Schools
    1. June High School Science
    2. Reminder: Grade 10 Mathematics Testing: May 21 and 22

  • May 7, 2024

    For All Schools
    1. Updates to MCAS Item Release for Spring 2024
    2. Updates to MCAS Scoring for Spring 2024
    3. ACCESS for ELLs
    4. Reminders from the Previous Update

    For High Schools
    1. Grade 10 Mathematics Testing: May 21 and 22
    2. Reminders from Previous Updates

  • April 26, 2024, Special Edition

    For All Schools
    1. Spring 2024 MCAS Early Release Schedule

    For High Schools
    1. Results from the March 2024 Retest
    2. Preliminary Grade 10 ELA Results Available on June 25
    3. Reminder about the Updated CD Standard in Biology for Students in the Classes of 2026 and Beyond

  • April 23, 2024

    For All Schools
    1. Resources and Support during Testing
    2. ACCESS for ELLs: Test Results and Score Reports
    3. Reminder: Manuals Shipments

    For Grades 3–8
    1. Grades 3–8 ELA Testing Ends on April 26: Complete Steps after Testing

  • April 9, 2024

    For All Schools
    1. Availability of TestNav during the Week of April 15
    2. Manuals Shipments
    3. ACCESS for ELLs
    4. MCAS-Alt Submission Follow-Up
    5. Reminders from Previous Updates

    For Grades 3–8
    1. Manuals for the Grades 5 and 8 STE Pilot Now Available
    2. Grade 8 Civics Field Test Frequently Asked Questions

    For High Schools
    1. High School Science SR/PNP Window: April 12–30
    2. MCAS/EPP Mathematics Test for Spring 2024

  • April 2, 2024, Special Edition

    For All Schools
    1. Additional Guidance for Schools Using Chromebooks
    2. Resources and Support during Testing

  • March 26, 2024

    For All Schools
    1. Resources and Support during Testing
    2. Updating Operating Systems
    3. ACCESS for ELLs

    For Grades 3–8
    1. Grade 8 Civics Field Test

    For High Schools
    1. High School Science SR/PNP Window and Participation Guidelines
    2. MCAS Portfolio Appeals Submission Deadline: March 29
    3. Reminder: Results from the February 2024 High School Science Tests

  • March 12, 2024

    For All Schools
    1. Resources and Support for Computer-Based Testing
    2. Availability of TestNav; Requests to Test Outside Regular Hours for Spring 2024 Testing
    3. ACCESS for ELLs Data Validation Office Hours Webinar
    4. Reminders from the Previous Update

    For Grades 3–8
    1. Grade 8 Civics Field Test SR/PNP Window Opens on March 25

    For High Schools
    1. Results from the February 2024 High School Science Tests

  • February 27, 2024

    For All Schools
    1. Technology Preparations for the March Retests and Spring 2024 Testing
    2. Resources and Support for Computer-Based Testing
    3. MCAS-Alt
    4. Reminders from the Previous Update

    For Grades 3–8
    1. Civics Field Test Training on March 21

    For High Schools
    1. March Retest Administration Dates

  • February 13, 2024

    For All Schools
    1. Sample Slides for Training Test Administrators
    2. ACCESS for ELLs: End of the ACCESS Testing Window
    3. Reminders from the Previous Update

    For Grades 3–8
    1. New Resource for the Grade 8 Civics Field Test

    For High Schools
    1. Availability of TestNav; Requests to Test Outside Regular Hours for the March Retests

  • January 30, 2024

    For All Schools
    1. Email Address for Student Assessment Services
    2. Test Administration Manuals for Spring 2024 Now Available
    3. Recordings of MCAS Test Administration Trainings Now Available
    4. Technology Preparations for Upcoming Administrations
    5. Student Registration Deadlines and Instructions for Editing SR/PNP Files Using Google Sheets
    6. Resources for Preparing Students for Computer-Based Testing: Student Tutorial and Practice Tests
    7. Training Session for Schools Administering MCAS to Students with Visual Impairments
    8. Bilingual Word-to-Word Dictionary E-Book Version Permitted for 2024 MCAS Tests
    9. ACCESS for ELLs
    10. Reminders from the Previous Update

    For Grades 3–8
    1. Student Registration for the Grades 5 and 8 STE Pilot

    For High Schools
    1. Reminders from the Previous Update

  • January 16, 2024

    For All Schools
    1. SR/PNP Windows for Spring Administrations Opening Soon
    2. Infrastructure Trial Windows and Technology Support for the Spring 2024 MCAS Administrations
    3. Access to the Security Portal
    4. ACCESS for ELLs
    5. Reminders from the Previous Update

    For Grades 3–8
    1. Reminder: Test Administration Training for Schools Participating in the Grades 5 and 8 STE Pilot

    For High Schools
    1. Sample Training Slides for February Science Available This Week
    2. Availability of TestNav; Requests to Test Outside Regular Hours for February Science
    3. John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Letters Available for November 2023 Retest Results
    4. Reminder: Results from the November Retest

  • January 3, 2024

    For All Schools
    1. Welcome Back and New DESE Address
    2. PAN Passwords and Accounts: Confirm Accounts at this Time
    3. MCAS Informational Webinars
    4. Upcoming MCAS Deadlines for the Spring 2024 MCAS Tests
    5. Upcoming Windows for the Student Registration/Personal Needs Profile
    6. MCAS Alternate Assessment (MCAS-Alt)
    7. ACCESS for ELLs

    For Grades 3–8
    1. Test Administration Training for Schools Participating in Grades 5 and 8 STE Pilot
    2. Reminder: Deadline for Changes to Civics Field Test Assignments: Thursday, January 4

    For High Schools
    1. Reminder: Results from the November Retest

2023

  • December 15, 2023

    For Middle Schools
    Spring 2024 MCAS Grade 8 Civics Field Test
    1. Deadline for Changes to Field Test Assignments: Thursday, January 4, 2024
    2. Resources, Training, and Other Information
    3. Next Steps

  • December 12, 2023

    For All Schools
    1. Holiday Hours for the MCAS Service Center
    2. MCAS Alternate Assessment (MCAS-Alt)
    3. ACCESS for ELLs
    4. Reminders from the Previous Update

    For Grades 3–8
    1. Reminder: Participation of Students with Disabilities and EL Students in the Civics Field Test

    For High Schools
    1. Results from the November Retest
    2. Student Registration for the February Science Administration Closes on December 15
    3. Reminder: Infrastructure Trial Window for the February Science Administration Now Open

  • November 28, 2023

    For All Schools
    1. MCAS Training Schedule
    2. Passwords for the MCAS Service Center Secure Website
    3. MCAS BYOD Participation: Notification Deadlines for Winter and Spring 2024
    4. ACCESS for ELLs
    5. Reminder: Intent to Seek a Waiver from the One-Percent Limit on Alternate Assessments

    For Grades 3–8
    1. Participation of Students with Disabilities and EL Students in the Civics Field Test

    For High Schools
    1. February Science Administration

Last Updated: November 14, 2024

 
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