September 2024
Q: Why has DESE created an MCAS Civics assessment?
A: The development of the Grade 8 Civics assessment is a response to renewed calls to action, both within the Commonwealth and nationally, to bolster civic learning and strengthen democratic institutions. The Civics assessment is part of DESE's broader goals for history and social science education to prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to become thoughtful and active participants in a democratic society and a complex world. DESE was charged with developing a Civics assessment for grade 8 alongside the state's broader initiatives to strengthen civics education as described in Chapter 296 of the Acts of 2018, An Act to Promote and Enhance Civic Engagement.
Q: Are teachers involved with the development of the assessment?
A: Yes, a group of 12 civics educators comprise our Grade 8 Civics Assessment Development Committee. These educators review all sources, test questions, and scoring materials prior to field testing and also review all test questions and their associated data after field testing. In addition, a separate Bias and Sensitivity Committee reviews all tests items and scoring materials before and after field testing. Educators play a critical role in providing feedback for this test, and for all MCAS tests.
Q: What does the Civics assessment look like?
A: The civics assessment is made up of two components: a state-level performance task and an end-of-course (EOC) test. The state-level performance task covers one of the seven grade 8 civics topics in the 2018 History and Social Science Framework , and the EOC test covers the full breadth of the grade 8 civics standards. Schools must administer both components to all students. Both components are administered on the same computer platform used for other MCAS tests. Students will complete each component independently.
Q: What is the structure of the state-level performance task?
A: Each student will take one state-level performance task. Each task is based on one of the following civics topics:
The task will consist of the following:
The task questions are based on primary and secondary sources. For field test purposes, an additional 4 points of test questions will be embedded into the test. A practice test for the state-level performance task is available on the MCAS Resource Center.
Q: What are the local-level classroom performance tasks?
A: To help prepare students for the state-level performance tasks, DESE has created local-level classroom performance tasks for each civics topic. The local-level classroom performance tasks are designed to complement the content and skills that appear on the state-level performance tasks. Similar to the state-level tasks, each local-level task focuses on one topic from the grade 8 civics standards.
These tasks include group work and discussions about the civics topics. In addition, the tasks ask students to analyze and evaluate sources to describe and explain civics concepts. DESE will not collect student work or scores for these classroom-level tasks.
Q: What is the structure of the end-of-course (EOC) test?
A: The EOC test consists of 32 machine-scored test questions that count toward the students' scores. An additional 4–6 test questions will be embedded into the test for field test and equating purposes. Item types include multiple-choice, multiple-select, and technology-enhanced questions. Many EOC questions will be based on a text source or graphic.
Q: Where can the Civics practice test and released items be found?
A: A practice test with a state-level performance task and EOC test questions is available on the MCAS Resource Center. There are also released items available through the MCAS Resource Center.
Q: What resources related to the Civics test development and design are available on your website?
A: The following information is available on our History and Social Science Test Design and Development pages:
Q: When will the Civics assessment become a required, operational test for all students?
A: The civics test will be administered operationally in spring 2025 for all students, including a Civics MCAS-Alt for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. DESE will report results at the student, school, district, and state levels in fall 2025.
Q: When will standard setting occur for the Civics assessment?
A: DESE expects to conduct standard setting (establish where achievement levels are set based on the results of the first operational test) in summer 2025. Educators will help to set these achievement level standards. We expect to recruit educators for this important event in early spring 2025.
Q: Is the Civics assessment part of the accountability system?
A: No, at this time the Civics test is not part of the accountability system.
Q: When is the Civics test administered?
A: The administration window for the Spring 2025 Civics Test is April 28–June 6. For the complete list of administration deadlines, see the 2024-25 Statewide Testing Schedule and Administration Deadlines on the DESE website.
Q: Who is required to participate in the Civics test?
A: Grade 8 students educated with Massachusetts public funds are required by federal laws and the 1993 Massachusetts Education Reform Law, state law M. G. L. Chapter 69, section 1I, to participate in statewide testing. See the student participation requirements on the DESE website for additional information. A Civics MCAS-Alt assessment is available for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.
Q: When should schools administer the state-level performance task and the end-of-course test?
A: The state-level performance task and the end-of-course test must be administered during the testing window, April 28–June 6, 2025. The state-level performance task must be administered before the EOC test is administered. The two components do not have to be administered on consecutive days, and they may be administered on the same day.
Q: Which state-level performance task will my school administer?
A: All grade 8 students will take the same state-level performance task on the same civics topic. DESE expects to announce the topic of the state-level performance task this fall (late October/early November). This information will be posted in an MCAS Update.
Q: Are schools required to administer the "local tasks"?
A: Administration of the local-level tasks is optional, though strongly recommended. To help prepare students for the state-level performance tasks, DESE developed local-level classroom performance tasks for each topic in the grade 8 civics standards. These tasks are classroom-based; no data is collected by the state for these tasks. The local-level tasks can be used for formative or summative purposes, and it is estimated that local-level tasks will take 1–2 class periods to complete. The local tasks are available on the DESE website.
Last Updated: October 18, 2024
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