Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

The Massachusetts Education Reform Law of 1993, state law, G.L. c. 69, § 1D, requires that all students who are seeking to earn a high school diploma, including students educated at public expense in educational collaboratives and approved and unapproved private special education schools within and outside the state, must meet the Competency Determination (CD) standard, in addition to meeting all local graduation requirements.

Students must either earn a scaled score of at least 240 on the grade 10 MCAS ELA and Mathematics tests, or earn a scaled score between 220 and 238 on these tests and fulfill the requirements of an Educational Proficiency Plan (EPP).

Students must also earn a scaled score of at least 220 on one of the high school MCAS Science and Technology/Engineering (STE) tests: Biology, Chemistry, Introductory Physics, or Technology/Engineering.

On July 2, 2012, an exception to the graduation requirement expired for students who were originally in the class of 2009 or an earlier class and meet certain criteria.

In May 2011 the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to delay the history and social science requirement for a CD until the third consecutive year that the history and social science assessment is administered.

Participation Guidelines for MCAS Testing
Students have the right to participate in MCAS tests and retests. Retests in ELA and Mathematics are offered in November and March, and students may participate in STE tests in February (Biology only) and June each year. Individuals may continue to participate in ELA and Mathematics retests and STE tests after leaving high school.

Students with disabilities who are unable to participate in standard MCAS tests, even with accommodations, can earn a CD through the MCAS Alternate Assessment (MCAS-Alt), which provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their academic knowledge and skills through a collection of work samples (portfolio).

MCAS Performance Appeals Process

In addition to the standard MCAS tests, retests, and alternate assessment, students may earn a CD through the MCAS Performance Appeals process. The Board established this process in 2002 for students who have been unable to demonstrate the required performance level on MCAS tests to show through their coursework that they have the knowledge and skills to meet or exceed the passing standard. When granted, a performance appeal is not a waiver of CD requirements, but an optional means of earning the CD.

If school and district officials believe that there is compelling evidence that a student has demonstrated the attainment of the state's learning standards through coursework, the superintendent may submit a performance appeal to the Commissioner on behalf of the student.

Before a performance appeal will be considered, evidence must be presented to show that the student meets performance appeal eligibility guidelines. The Commissioner has the authority to waive one or more of the eligibility requirements if there are extenuating circumstances such as serious illness or other hardship. In these cases, the superintendent must submit a written justification for a waiver of eligibility requirements.

Educational Proficiency Plan

An EPP must be developed for any student who does not meet or exceed the Proficient level (a minimum scaled score of 240) on the grade 10 ELA and/or Mathematics tests.

Each EPP includes, at a minimum:

• a review of the student's strengths and weaknesses, based on MCAS and other assessment results, coursework, grades, and teacher input;

• the courses the student will be required to take and successfully complete in grades 11 and 12; and

• a description of the assessments the school will administer on a regular basis to determine whether the student is moving toward Proficiency.

Massachusetts state law requires the instruction of American history and civics (G.L. c. 71, § 2) and physical education (G.L. c. 71, § 3).

The Massachusetts High School Program of Studies (MassCore) is intended to help high school graduates arrive at college or the workplace well prepared and to reduce the number of students taking remedial courses in college. The Department recommends that high school students complete the MassCore program of studies, which is a comprehensive set of subject area courses and units as well as other learning opportunities, before graduating from high school.

The MassCore program includes four years of English; four years of mathematics; three years of lab-based science; three years of history; two years of the same foreign language; one year of an arts program; and five additional "core" courses such as business education, health, and/or technology. MassCore also includes additional learning opportunities including AP classes, dual enrollment, a senior project, online courses for high school or college credit, and service or work-based learning.

Two scholarships are available based in part on student performance on the MCAS English Language Arts and Mathematics tests:

• the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship

• Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery with Distinction Award

V. PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS ON MCAS TESTS

For students who have not met the requirements for high school graduation and wish to prepare for the future, the following opportunities are available at no cost:

• high school programs

• community college programs

• work and learning programs