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.

2025

  • February 25, 2025

    For All Schools
    1. Technology Preparations for the March Retests and Spring 2025 Testing
    2. Resources and Support for Computer-Based Testing
    3. Reminders from Previous Updates

    For Grades 3–8
    1. Reminders from the Previous Update

    For High Schools
    1. March Retest Administration Dates
    2. Reminder: Updates Competency Determination (CD) Status File in DESE DropBox

  • February 12, 2025

    For All Schools
    1. Test Administration Manuals for 2025 Now Available
    2. Sample Slides for Training Test Administrators
    3. MCAS Resource Center Updates
    4. Upcoming MCAS Training Sessions
    5. Update to Student Logins
    6. Important Reminders for the 2025 MCAS Alternate Assessment (MCAS-Alt)
    7. ACCESS for ELLs: Extension of Testing Window
    8. Reminders from Previous Updates

    For Grade 8
    1. Civics Graphic Organizers for Students Using Accommodation A9
    2. Civics Accountability and FAQ
    3. Reminder: Invitation to apply for Grade 8 Civics MCAS Standard Setting Panel

    For High Schools
    1. Availability of the MCAS Student Kiosk; Requests to Test Outside Regular Hours for the March Retests
    2. Updated Competency Determination (CD) Status file in DropBox Central
    3. Reminder: CD Status on Parent/Guardian Reports for the MCAS November 2024 Retest

  • February 5, 2025, Special Edition

    For High Schools
    1. Competency Determination (CD) Status on Parent/Guardian Reports for the MCAS November 2024 Retest

  • February 4, 2025

    For All Schools
    1. Technology Preparations for Upcoming Administrations
    2. Test Administrator Tasks in the MCAS Portal
    3. MCAS Resource Center Updates
    4. Enrollment Transfers
    5. Spanish/English Tests Available in Grades 3–8 in 2025
    6. ACCESS for ELLs Test Administration
    7. Important Reminders for the MCAS Alternate Assessment (MCAS-Alt)
    8. Reminders from Previous Updates

    For Grades 3–8
    1. Invitation to Apply for Grade 8 Civics MCAS Standard Setting Panel
    2. Reminders from Previous Updates

    For High Schools
    1. Reminders from Previous Updates

  • January 29, 2025, Special Edition

    For High Schools
    1. Resources and Support for the February Science Administration
    2. Support During MCAS Testing
    3. Technology Preparations for the February Science Administration

  • January 23, 2025, Special Edition

    For Grades 3–8
    1. MCAS Grades 5 and 8 Science and Technology/ Engineering (STE) Transition to New Performance Tasks
    2. Grade 8 Civics Test: Reminders and Announcement of Summer 2025 Standard-Setting Meeting
    3. Anticipated MCAS Grades 3–8 English Language Arts (ELA) Test Design Changes in 2027

  • January 21, 2025

    For All Schools
    1. Upcoming Student Registration Windows
    2. MCAS Resource Center Updates – High School Science Practice Tests Now Available
    3. Participation in MCAS Testing in 2025
    4. Spanish/English Tests Available in Grades 3–8 in 2025
    5. 2025 ACCESS Test Administration
    6. MCAS-Alt Statement of Assurances Required by January 31, 2025
    7. Reminders from Previous Updates

    For High Schools
    1. February Science Administration
    2. Class of 2025 John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Letters
    3. Updated Reporting Schedule for the November 2024 Retest

  • January 16, 2025, Special Edition

    For All Schools
    1. Student Registration for March Retests and Spring Grades 3–8: January 21–31

    For High Schools
    1. Participation Guidelines for the March Retest

  • January 9, 2025

    For All Schools
    1. MCAS Test Administration Training Sessions
    2. MCAS Resource Center Updates
    3. Update to the MCAS Student Kiosk for Schools using MacOS
    4. Upcoming MCAS Deadlines for the Spring 2025 MCAS Tests
    5. Upcoming Windows for Student Registration
    6. 2025 ACCESS Test Administration
    7. Reminders from Previous Updates

    For High Schools
    1. Reminders from Previous Updates

2024

  • December 12, 2024, Special Edition

    For High Schools
    1. Student Registration for the February High School Science Administration

  • December 11, 2024, Special Edition Update on the Student Competency Determination

  • December 10, 2024

    For All Schools
    1. Schedule for Testing and Administration Deadlines
    2. Passwords for the MCAS Service Center Secure Website
    3. Accessibility and Accommodations Manual
    4. List of Student Tools, Accessibility Features, and Accommodations Unavailable for Site Readiness
    5. MCAS Alternate Assessment
    6. Reminders from Previous Updates

    For High Schools
    1. February Science Registration
    2. Results from the November Retest
    3. Reminder: MCAS February Science CBT Waiver Requests: Submit by December 11

  • November 25, 2024

    For All Schools
    1. MCAS Portal and MCAS Resource Center Updates
    2. MCAS BYOD Participation: Notification Deadlines for Winter and Spring 2025
    3. ACCESS for ELLs
    4. Reminders from the Previous Update

    For High Schools
    1. February Science Administration

  • 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 15, 2024

    For All Schools
    1. Upcoming Training Sessions
    2. Reminders from the Previous Update

    For High Schools
    1. Technology Preparations for November 2024
    2. Test Administration Resources for the November Retests Now Available
    3. MCAS Performance Appeals
    4. Reminders from the Previous Update

  • 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
    1. Test Administration Manuals for November 2024 Retests Now Available
    2. PearsonAccess Next Passwords and Accounts: Confirm Accounts at This Time
    3. Availability of TestNav; Requests to Test Outside Regular Hours for the November Retests
    4. Reminder that Grade 10 ELA Released Essays from Spring 2024 MCAS Are Available in PAN 
    5. Class of 2025 John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Information Available Soon
    6. MCAS Performance Appeals
    7. 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

Last Updated: February 25, 2025