1. Updates on Next-Generation MCAS and Planning for the High School Competency Determination Standard
Meeting of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, September 18, 2018

2. Next-Generation MCAS Started with November 2015 Board vote
Upgrade of existing MCAS to reflect the revised learning standards
Focus on critical thinking, application of knowledge, connections between reading and writing
Spring First administration of next-generation tests in grades English language arts (ELA) and mathematics
Spring Second administration of next-generation tests in grades ELA and mathematics
Spring First administration of next-generation tests in grade 10 ELA and mathematics, and grades 5 and 8 science and technology/engineering (STE)
Spring First administration of next-generation tests in high school science
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

3. MCAS 2018 Participation Rates
Grade
Subject
ELA
Mathematics
Science/TE
Grade 3
99.3%
99.6%
Grade 4
99.4%
Grade 5
Grade 6
Grade 7
99.2%
Grade 8
99.0%
99.1%
98.9%
Grade 10
98.4%
98.3%
All Grades
99.2% (+0.2)
99.3% (+0.1)
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

4. Computer-Based Testing
Spring 2018
89% of students in grades 3-8 tested on a computer
Continued phase-in of computer-based testing
Spring 2019
Grades 3-8 ELA, mathematics, and STE
Grade 10 ELA and mathematics
Spring 2020
High school science
School year
High school retests

5. Tentative 2018 MCAS Reporting Calendar
Date
Event
September 25
Official embargoed data files released to districts
September 27
Official state, district and school-level results released to the public
September 28
Parent/guardian reports received by superintendents, who then forward them to parents

6. May 2018
Proposed Transition to New High School Tests and Graduation Standards in ELA and Mathematics – Milestones
February 2018 Board voted to adopt an interim competency determination (CD) standard for the classes of 2021 and 2022 Spring 2019 First administration of next-generation tests in grade 10 ELA and mathematics Summer 2019 Standard setting for the new grade 10 tests and establishment of interim standard (delegated to Commissioner in spring 2019) Summer/fall 2019 Formation of advisory committee on new CD standard Board discussions of proposed new CD standards for ELA and mathematics Public hearings and comment Winter Board votes to establish new CD standard beginning with the class of 2023
Ongoing activities
Communications and outreach to all stakeholders
Release of resources to the field (practice tests, samples of student work)
Analysis and research
Discussions with technical experts

7. Considerations for Transition to Next-Generation High School Science Tests
Ensure fairness during the transition period for the students in each graduating class
Provide adequate notice of the requirements for high school graduation
Students entering grade 8 this fall will be the first class eligible to take the next-generation tests in spring 2020 as ninth graders
Standards will not be set on those tests until summer of 2020 following the first administration
Ensure reliability, validity, and usefulness of the tests
Student participation in two of the subject area tests has fallen to an unsustainable level

8. Participation in 2018 High School Science and Technology/Engineering Tests
Subject Area
First-time testers
Percent
Biology
54,390
75.8%
Introductory Physics
14,511
20.2%
Technology/Engineering
2,357
3.3%
Chemistry
465
0.6%

9. Recommendations for Transition to Next-Generation High School Science Tests
Recommendation #1: Update the CD regulations this fall to establish a transition plan for STE similar to the plan for ELA and mathematics that the Board approved last year
Establish an interim standard for students in the first two classes to take the new assessments (classes of 2023 and 2024)
Proposed regulations will be presented to the Board in October
Recommendation #2: Phase out two of the four subject area tests (chemistry and technology/engineering) and introduce a mid-year introductory physics testing opportunity (similar to biology)
Eligible students would be able to take retests in chemistry and technology/engineering through June 2022

10. Proposed Timeline for High School Science Tests
Fall 2018
Revision of regulations to establish an interim standard for classes of 2023 & 2024 and phase out the chemistry and technology/engineering tests
Feb. 2019
Administration of legacy biology test
Spring 2019
Administration of all four legacy tests
Required online field testing in biology and introductory physics (one session)
Feb. 2020
Spring 2020
First administration of next-generation biology and introductory physics tests
Students in grade 10 and above will be eligible to take all four legacy tests
Feb. 2021
First administration of February introductory physics test, along with biology test

11. Goals for Assessment in the Commonwealth
Reduce testing time for students and schools
Find the right balance between efficiency, validity, and alignment to the standards
Return results sooner
Piloted early return of preliminary results to schools this year (less than 10 days after the administration window closed)
Investigate ways to use technology to meet these goals
Automated essay scoring
Computer-adaptive testing