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News from DESE Student Assessment Services
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For All Schools
1. New Pre-Administration Guide for the 2022–23 MCAS Tests – To Be Available Soon
This new resource provides instructions and roles/responsibilities for the tasks that schools need to complete prior to MCAS test administration. It is meant to supplement the manuals and other resources by describing activities that should be completed in the fall and winter. The guide includes tasks for principals/test coordinators as well as staff new to these roles, and technology coordinators. When available, this guide will be posted on the DESE website.
Questions and feedback on the usefulness of this new guide may be directed to mcas@doe.mass.edu.
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2. ACCESS for ELLs
a. Reporting EL Students Accurately in October SIMS
It is important that EL students are reported accurately in your district’s October 2022 Student Information Management System (SIMS) submission, and that this report removes the “EL” designation for students who have recently exited EL status. Inform your District SIMS Contact about students who have exited EL status and should no longer be reported as EL.
To find your district SIMS contact, go to profiles.doe.mass.edu/search/search.aspx?leftNavID=11239, select SIMS Contact from the Function menu, enter your district name under Organization Keyword, and click Get Results.
b. Updating Your Contact Information
Please ensure that the names and contact information for staff in the roles of EL Program Director (EL Director), ACCESS for ELLs Test Coordinator, Educational Technology Director, and Principal have been updated by your district’s Directory Administrator in the Department’s School and District Profiles, if this information has changed since last year. Individuals with these roles will receive the EL Assessment Update email newsletter directly.
School names, organization codes, and addresses should also be updated in School and District Profiles if information has changed since last year. ACCESS for ELLs test materials will be mailed to schools at the address listed in School and District Profiles.
Please contact access@mass.gov with any questions.
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3. Reminders from the Previous Update
a. Information for New Test Coordinators
MCAS test coordinators who are starting their role as coordinator this school year are encouraged to reach out to the former test coordinator or the school principal for the information described in the previous update.
b. TestNav System Requirements and Updated App Available for 2022–23
Schools should review the TestNav system requirements and update operating systems as necessary for the 2022–23 school year. Additionally, the latest TestNav release, app version 1.11, is available for download. Districts that did not install this version of TestNav over the summer must install it now for use in the 2022–23 school year. Please share this information with your technology coordinators and staff.
c. MCAS-Alt Fall Training Sessions
Registration is available for educators and administrators to participate in virtual fall training sessions for the 2023 MCAS-Alt. Please encourage teachers who will be creating MCAS-Alt portfolios to register. Please see the previous update for further information.
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For Grades 3–8
1. Reminder: Updated STE Instructional Guidelines for Grades 6–8
The STE Grades 6–8 Instructional Guidelines have been updated to include additional information about the Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) and the Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs). Please see the previous update for further information.
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For High Schools
1. MCAS BYOD for the November Retests: Notify DESE by October 14
A “bring your own device” (BYOD) policy allows students to use their own devices for instruction. Schools with students who are using their own devices for instruction, and would like to utilize these devices for the November retests, should email mcas@doe.mass.edu by Friday, October 14 for instructions on preparing devices.
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2. Technology Support Prior to Computer-Based Testing
Technology coordinators are able to schedule one-on-one support from Pearson's support specialists (i.e., Field Services Engineering) prior to the November retest administration, between September 26 and November 4. They may use this website to schedule “office hours” support for a 15-, 30-, or 60-minute phone meeting.
This is an opportunity for technology coordinators to receive support with the following:
- Technology set-up and site readiness
- Questions about TestNav
- ProctorCache set-up
- TestNav configurations in PearsonAccess Next
- Infrastructure Trials (set-up as well as debriefing)
These “office hours” supplement the support provided by the MCAS Service Center (see contact information in the footer) and will only be available prior to test administration. During test administration, the MCAS Service Center will be available for real-time support.
Please share this information with your technology coordinators and staff.
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3. MCAS Performance Appeals Trainings
High school administrators, educators, and district superintendents have opportunities to learn more about the MCAS Performance Appeal process during two upcoming webinars. Attendees will learn about the different types of appeals, how to file appeals using the online portal, and how to interpret results. Schools can register for one of the sessions on Tuesday, October 11, 10:00–11:00 a.m. or Wednesday, October 26, 9:30–10:30 a.m. Questions about these trainings should be sent to MCASappeals@doe.mass.edu.
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4. MCAS Interim CD Standard for the Classes of 2023–2025
The tables below illustrate the next generation CD requirements for the classes of 2023, 2024, and 2025. Additional information about graduation requirements is available on the DESE website. More information about the transition to next generation tests in STE is available at www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/tdd/sci.html. For staff with access to Edwin Analytics, located on the Security Portal, the Student CD Roster (PE618) and Assessment History Summary (PE613) report students' CD status using the interim passing standard. Please contact Student Assessment with any questions at mcas@doe.mass.edu or 781-338-3625.
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5. Reminders from the Previous Update
a. Student Registration for the November Retests Closes on September 30
Schools must complete the Student Registration/Personal Needs Profile (SR/PNP) process between now and September 30 to register students and order student test materials for the November retests. If no students will participate, schools need to email mcas@cognia.org with the district name, school name, and school code by the deadline. Please see the previous update for additional information.
b. Infrastructure Trial Window for the November Retest Administration Opens on September 26
The window for conducting an Infrastructure Trial for the November retest administration opens on Monday, September 26. An Infrastructure Trial is an opportunity for districts, schools, and students to prepare for computer-based MCAS testing by simulating test-day network utilization. Please see the previous update for further information.
c. Deadline to Request a CBT Waiver for November Retests: This Week
High schools will be administering the November retests online. Schools/organizations with unique or extenuating circumstances should fill out this survey by this week to request a waiver from the CBT requirement and to instead administer paper-based tests for all students. Please see the previous update for further information.
d. Spring 2023 MCAS Chemistry and Technology/Engineering Tests Available Only for Class of 2025 and Earlier
As a reminder, in June 2023, only students in the class of 2025 and earlier (students in grade 10 and above) will be eligible to take the Chemistry and Technology/Engineering tests. Grade 9 students will not be eligible. Please see the previous update for further information.
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MCAS Service Center
for logistical support, including tech support for PearsonAccess Next and TestNav
Email: mcas@cognia.org
Phone: 800-737-5103
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Student Assessment Services
for policy questions, including student participation
Email: mcas@doe.mass.edu
Phone: 781-338-3625
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