Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

Training Opportunities

Below is a list of current training opportunities offered by the Office of Student Assessment Services. Register for a session by clicking the link in the "Training Dates/Times and Registration Links" column below. Recordings of MCAS training sessions will be posted in the MCAS Resource Center approximately one week after the session date.

Sessions and Topics to be Covered	Training Dates/Times Registration Links	Intended Audience	Intended Level of Experience	Recommended Read-Ahead Materials
MCAS Office Hours: Registration Tasks for February Science and March Retests Participation guidelines for the February Science administration Enrollment transfers Opportunity for schools to ask questions and request to see demonstrations for Student Registration	Note new date and time: Friday, December 13 9:30–10:30 a.m.	High school principals and school test coordinators, district test coordinators	All levels
ACCESS for ELLs Test Coordinator Training Webinar for Returning Test Coordinators Format of the assessment(s) Test administration training requirements and considerations Test administration timelines and deadlines Latest updates for the current year's administration	Thursday, December 12 9:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.	ACCESS for ELLs test coordinators, EL program directors, principals	Returning test coordinators
In-Person MCAS-Alt Review sessions Bring your students' in-progress assessment and a tablet or laptop (Limited outlets available for charging) to receive feedback and discuss your students' evidence Share ideas for collecting high-quality evidence and data Use this session to organize and assemble your students' portfolios	Tuesday, January 14 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Taunton Conference Center 700 Myles Standish Blvd Taunton, MA 02780 (Space limited to 250 per session) or Wednesday, January 15 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Springfield Marriott Downtown 2 Boland Way Springfield, MA 01115 (Space limited to 250 per session) or Thursday, January 16 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Courtyard by Marriott Boston Marlborough 75 Felton St Marlborough, MA 01752 (Space limited to 225 per session)	Educators that actively administering the MCAS-Alt to one or more students	All levels	2025 Educator's Manual for MCAS- Alt Resource Guides English Language Arts and Literacy (PreK–Grade 12) Mathematics (PreK–Grade 12) Science and Technology/Engineering (STE) Civics (Grade 8 only)
Virtual MCAS-Alt Review Sessions: Using Zoom, DESE trained reviewers assist educators in virtual small breakout rooms. Each hour time slot is limited to 75 participants. Educators will be able to share their screens with the reviewers.	Wednesday, January 22 8:30a.m. – 2:50 p.m. Sign up for a single 1-hour time block between 8:30 a.m. – 2:50 p.m. (No sessions will be offered between 12:00 – 12:40 p.m.) or Thursday, January 23 8:30a.m. – 2:50 p.m. Sign up for a single 1-hour time block between 8:30 a.m. – 2:50 p.m. (No sessions will be offered between 12:00 – 12:40 p.m.)	Educators that actively administering the MCAS-Alt to one or more students	All levels	2025 Educator's Manual for MCAS- Alt Resource Guides English Language Arts and Literacy (PreK–Grade 12) Mathematics (PreK–Grade 12) Science and Technology/Engineering (STE) Civics (Grade 8 only)

Last Updated: December 10, 2024