1. MCAS Grade 10 ELA and Mathematics Informational Meetings
The Office of Student Assessment Services October 3 and November 5, 2018

2. Presenters Michol Stapel, Associate Commissioner of Student Assessment
Katie Bowler, Director of Test Development
ELA Team
Amy Carithers, Administrator for ELA Test Development
Beth Niedzwiecki, grade 10 ELA test developer
Jennifer O’Toole, grade 10 ELA test developer
Mathematics Team
Simone Johnson, Administrator for Math Test Development
James Verdolino, grade 10 Math test developer

3. Logistics for This Session
Questions may be asked at any time using the Q & A feature on the WebEx screen.
Specific questions about a student or your district should instead be sent by to
We will attempt to answer all questions submitted during the session; after the session, all questions will be answered and ed out to participants.
This session is being recorded and will be available online in about one week at:
MCAS Resource Center -- mcas.pearsonsupport.com/training
In the section entitled “Training Sessions Previously Offered This School Year”

4. 01 02 Today’s Discussion 03 04 Transition to Next-Generation Tests
English Language Arts (ELA) Test Design and Sample Items
Today’s Discussion 03
Mathematics Test Design and Sample Items 04
Competency Determination (CD) and Retest Opportunities

5. Transition to Next-Generation Tests01

6. Transition to Next-Generation High School Tests
Grade 10 students (class of 2021) this year are the first class to take the next-generation grade 10 ELA and math tests
Standards (Exceeding, Meeting, Partially Meeting, and Not Meeting Expectations) will be set on these tests in the summer of 2019
Important to ensure fairness during the transition period for the students in each graduating class
Provide adequate notice of the requirements for high school graduation

7. Transition to Next-Generation Tests
2017
CBT required * grades 4 and 8
CBT optional
grades 3, 5, 6, and 7
2018
CBT required *
grades 4, 5, 7, and 8
CBT optional grades 3 and 6
2019
CBT required * grades 3–8 and 10
* Paper-based testing will be available for students with disabilities who require a paper-and-pencil test as well as for new ELL students unfamiliar with computers.

8. ELA Test Design and Sample Items02

9. What is the same for 2019? Untimed test Types of passages
Some question types
Full release of the grade 10 test

10. What is different in 2019? Computer-based Number of sessions
New question types
Standards alignment
Reporting types
Item descriptions

11. Comparison of Legacy and Next-Generation Tests
36 multiple-choice questions
4 open-response questions
1 composition
72 total points
21-27 one-point questions
4-7 two-point questions
3 essays
59 total points

12. Embedded Matrix Questions
Consist of both field-test and equating questions
Do not count toward a student's score
Student experience includes:
Read one long and one short passage set
Respond to 12 questions (one or two-point)
Write 1 essay

13. 2019 Reporting Categories Reporting Category Percentages (+/-5%)
Total Number of Points
Reading
50% 32
Language
20% 12
Writing
30% 15
Totals
100% 59

14. Informational and literary passages Single, paired or tripled passages
Passage Types
Informational and literary passages
Single, paired or tripled passages
Short and long passages

15. Presentation of Passages (Single Passage)
glossed word

16. Presentation of Passages (Multiple Passages)

17. Selected Response Questions:
Question Types
Selected Response Questions:
Multiple choice: worth one point
Multiple select: worth two points
Technology enhanced: worth two points
Text-Based Essays:
Scored in two domains:
Idea Development: 5 points
Conventions: 3 points
Reading or Language
Writing
Language

18. Multiple-Choice Question

19. Multiple-Choice Question

20. Multiple-Select Question

21. Multiple-Select Question

22. Multiple-Select Question

23. Technology-Enhanced Question

24. Technology-Enhanced Question

25. Types of Writing Questions
Writing in response to text
Writing types:
Argument (standard 1)
Informative/explanatory (standard 2)
Narrative (standard 3)
One rubric used for all writing types

26. Writing Item Types: Grade 10
Idea Development
(5 points)
Conventions
(3 points)
quality and development of central idea or thesis*
selection and explanation of evidence and/or details *
organization
expression of ideas
awareness of task and mode
sentence structure
grammar, usage, and mechanics
* Expectation is different for narrative writing
Writing Standards 1,2 or 3 and
Writing Standard 4
Language Standards 1,2 and 3
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

27. Essay: Standard 1 (Argument)

28. Essay: Standard 2 (Informative/Explanatory)

29. Essay: Standard 3 (Narrative)

30. Resources for ELA MCAS ELA test design and resources
Web Link
ELA test design and resources
Grade 10 ELA practice test and materials
TestNav 8 computer-based environment
2017 and 2018 next-gen released questions for grades 3-8
Testing schedule

31. ELA Questions

32. Mathematics Test Design and Sample Items03

33. What is the same for 2019? Untimed test Two sessions
Session 1: non-calculator
Session 2: calculator
Some question types
Multiple Choice, Short-Answer, Open/Constructed Response
Total points 60

34. What is different in 2019? Computer-based New standards
2017 Curriculum Framework will be assessed
Coded to cluster headings
New question types
Calculator policy
Reference sheets
Item/question descriptions
Reporting category percentages

35. 2019 Operational Questions
Legacy
2019 Next-Generation
32 multiple-choice questions
4 short-answer questions
6 open-response questions
60 total points
32 one-point questions
6 two-point questions
4 constructed response questions
60 total points

36. 2019 Embedded Matrix Questions
Consist of both field-test and equating questions
Do not count towards the student’s score
Student experience includes:
Six additional 1- or 2-point questions
Four additional constructed-response questions

37. Curriculum Framework
Clusters

38. Question Coded to a Cluster
Standard: Explain why the sum or product of two rational numbers is rational; that the sum of a rational number and an irrational number is irrational…
N-RN.B.3
Cluster: Use properties of rational and irrational numbers
N-RN.B

39. 2019 Reporting Category Percentages
Total Number of Points
Number & Quantity
15% 9
Algebra & Functions
35% 21
Geometry
Statistics & Probability

40. Question Types Question Type Total Points Multiple Choice
Students select one correct answer from among several answer options. 1
Multiple Select Students select more than one correct answer from among several answer options.
Technology Enhanced Students taking the computer-based tests answer questions using technology such as drag-and-drop and hot spot.
1 or 2
Short Answer/Fill-in-the-Blank Students construct a short written response, typically only a word or a number.
Constructed Response Students write a response to a multi-part item that includes calculations and explanations to a problem or set of problems 4
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

41. Multiple Select Question

42. Technology Enhanced Question – Hot Spot

43. Technology Enhanced Question - Match Table Grid

44. Technology Enhanced Question – Inline Choice

45. Technology Enhanced Question – Graphing on a Coordinate Plane

46. Technology Enhanced Question – Graphing Functions

47. Technology Enhanced Question – Transformations

48. Technology Enhanced Question – Creating a Histogram

49. Technology Enhanced Question – Solution Set of an Inequality

50. Technology Enhanced Question – Graphing a System of Inequalities

51. Short Answer/Fill-in-the-Blank (with Equation Editor)

52. Answering a Short Answer/Fill-in-the-Blank Question (with Equation Editor for math only)

53. 2-Point Question

54. Short Answer/Fill-in-the-Blank
Computer-Based Version
Paper-Based Version

55. Answering a Short Answer Question on the Paper Test

56. Constructed Response Question

57. Answering a Constructed Response Question (with Equation Editor for math and text)

58. Constructed Response – Paper Equivalents
On the axes provided in your answer space, graph the solution set of the inequality.

59. Embedded calculator Handheld calculators Calculator Policy
Scientific calculator
Handheld calculators
Students who prefer to use handheld calculators when taking the computer-based test may do so.
At a minimum, schools should provide a five-function calculator
Students may also use their own handheld calculator, including a graphing calculator.
Students must have sole access to the handheld calculator.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

60. Grade 10 Reference Sheet
Exhibits

61. Resources for Mathematics MCAS
Web Link
Math test design and resources
Grade 10 Math practice test and materials
Tutorial
Equation editor guides and symbols
Gridded response guidelines
Math reference sheets
Testing schedule

62. Math Questions

63. Competency Determination (CD) and Retest Opportunities04

64. Board Adoption of New Regulations in February 2018
Students in the classes of 2021 and 2022 will be held to an interim passing standard.
The interim standard will be defined as a similar level of achievement to the required standards on the legacy tests: 240 (Proficient), or 220 (Needs Improvement) plus an Educational Proficiency Plan
The interim standard will be identified in summer 2019 through
A statistical linking process, and
Validation by a panel of experts
Provides students of the classes of 2021 and 2022 with timely notice of the passing standard
Provides students, parents, and educators with sufficient time to become familiar with the new tests and expectations before a new passing standard is established.
Provides time to conduct outreach to students, parents, educators, administrators, and other stakeholders as we move toward a new CD

65. Current CD Requirements for ELA and Mathematics, by Class
School Year
CD requirements
Class of 2020
Grade 10
Grade 11
Grade 12
Legacy (240 or 220+EPP, per BESE vote in October 2016)
Class of 2021
Grade 9
Grade 10*
Interim (standard on new test that represents similar level of achievement as 240, or 220+EPP)
Class of 2022
Class of 2023
Grade10
Future (to be determined after results of new tests are considered by the Board in fall 2019)
*First administration of next-generation grade 10 tests in ELA/Mathematics

66. Timeline for Tests/Retests: Grade 10 ELA and Mathematics
May 2018
Timeline for Tests/Retests: Grade 10 ELA and Mathematics
March 2019
Legacy retest administration
Spring 2019
First administration of next-generation tests
November 2019
March 2020
Last legacy retest administration; last separate March retest administration
Spring 2020
Second administration of next-generation tests
November 2020
First administration of next-generation retests
Spring 2021
First administration of grade 10 tests with new CD standard
First time students will retest using the Spring tests in place of a March retest
Key points:
One year of legacy retests following the first administration of the next-gen tests
Phasing out of the March retest; retesters would take the core parts of the spring tests

67. Email and Phone Support
MCAS Service Center
DESE Office of Student Assessment Services
All questions on logistics and technology (e.g., PearsonAccess Next, SR/PNP, TestNav)
Web: mcas.pearsonsupport.com/
Phone:
All policy questions (e.g., student participation, accommodations)
Web:
Phone:

68. You will not be able to return to it later.
Evaluation Form
The evaluation form will only be available when you close this WebEx session.
You will not be able to return to it later.
Note that responses will be associated with the name and address used to log in.
your input to if you have problems accessing or completing the form.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

69. THANK YOU Student Assessment 781.338.3625 mcas@doe.mass.edu
75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148