English Language Arts Test Design and Development

Anticipated Grades 3–8 English Language Arts (ELA) Assessment Transition

DESE is developing new test designs for the MCAS grades 3–8 ELA assessments, which are expected to be operational (scores reported out) in spring 2027. The current operational test design for the 2025 and 2026 tests will remain the same and can be found on the ELA test design page.

New Test Features

The 2027 test designs plan to incorporate several new features based on feedback from educators, including a continued focus on reducing testing time. Some of the new anticipated features include:

• Using shorter reading passages for some grades
• Developing new writing item types with the potential to reduce the amount of time students spend on writing
• Introducing stand-alone selected-response questions (not associated with passages) that will assess grade-level language standards
• Making some enhancements to selected-response items

Anticipated Timeline for New Tests

DESE anticipates the following timeline for the development and implementation of the new tests:

• Winter 2025: Begin development of new passages and test questions
• Spring 2026: Field test new passages and test questions
• Spring 2027: First administration of operational tests
• Summer 2027: Standard setting and establishment of new achievement levels set

Development of Review of Passages and Test Questions

As with all MCAS tests materials, Assessment Development Committees, made up of Massachusetts educators, will play a major role in reviewing new passages and test questions. Educators review test materials both during the initial development and again after the test questions have been field tested.

Additional Information

DESE plans to provide more information about the new tests, including examples of new item types, new rubrics, and new test designs, as they are developed and finalized.

Last Updated: March 19, 2025