Updates on Next-Generation MCAS and High School Competency Standards
Detailed information provided in the presentation covers the transition to Next-Generation MCAS tests starting in 2015, participation rates in MCAS 2018, computer-based testing implementation, and the tentative 2018 MCAS reporting calendar. Additionally, plans for transitioning to new high school tests and graduation standards in ELA and Mathematics are outlined. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is actively involved in these educational updates.
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Presentation Transcript
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
Next-Generation MCAS Started with November 2015 Board vote o Upgrade of existing MCAS to reflect the revised learning standards o Focus on critical thinking, application of knowledge, connections between reading and writing Spring 2017 First administration of next-generation tests in grades 3-8 English language arts (ELA) and mathematics Second administration of next-generation tests in grades 3-8 ELA and mathematics First administration of next-generation tests in grade 10 ELA and mathematics, and grades 5 and 8 science and technology/engineering (STE) First administration of next-generation tests in high school science Spring 2018 Spring 2019 Spring 2020 2 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
MCAS 2018 Participation Rates Subject Grade ELA Mathematics Science/TE Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 10 All Grades 99.3% 99.4% 99.4% 99.3% 99.2% 99.0% 98.4% 99.6% 99.6% 99.6% 99.4% 99.3% 99.1% 98.3% 99.4% 98.9% 99.2% 99.2% (+0.2) 99.3% (+0.1) 99.2% (+0.2) 3 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Computer-Based Testing Spring 2018 o89% of students in grades 3-8 tested on a computer Continued phase-in of computer-based testing oSpring 2019 Grades 3-8 ELA, mathematics, and STE Grade 10 ELA and mathematics oSpring 2020 High school science oSchool year 2020-2021 High school retests 4 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
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 Parent/guardian reports received by superintendents, who then forward them to parents September 28 5 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
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 Ongoing activities Communications and outreach to all stakeholders Spring 2019 First administration of next-generation tests in grade 10 ELA and mathematics Release of resources to the field (practice tests, samples of student work) 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 Analysis and research Discussions with technical experts Winter 2019-2020 Board votes to establish new CD standard beginning with the class of 2023 6 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Considerations for Transition to Next-Generation High School Science Tests Ensure fairness during the transition period for the students in each graduating class o Provide adequate notice of the requirements for high school graduation o Students entering grade 8 this fall will be the first class eligible to take the next-generation tests in spring 2020 as ninth graders o Standards will not be set on those tests until summer of 2020 following the first administration Ensure reliability, validity, and usefulness of the tests o Student participation in two of the subject area tests has fallen to an unsustainable level 7 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Participation in 2018 High School Science and Technology/Engineering Tests First-time testers Subject Area Percent Biology 54,390 75.8% Introductory Physics 14,511 20.2% Technology/Engineering 2,357 3.3% Chemistry 465 0.6% 8 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
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 o Establish an interim standard for students in the first two classes to take the new assessments (classes of 2023 and 2024) o 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) o Eligible students would be able to take retests in chemistry and technology/engineering through June 2022 9 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Proposed Timeline for High School Science Tests Revision of regulations to establish an interim standard for classes of 2023 & 2024 and phase out the chemistry and technology/engineering tests Fall 2018 Feb. 2019 Administration of legacy biology test Administration of all four legacy tests Required online field testing in biology and introductory physics (one session) Spring 2019 Feb. 2020 Administration of legacy biology test 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 Spring 2020 Feb. 2021 First administration of February introductory physics test, along with biology test 10 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Goals for Assessment in the Commonwealth Reduce testing time for students and schools o Find the right balance between efficiency, validity, and alignment to the standards Return results sooner o 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 o Automated essay scoring o Computer-adaptive testing 11 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
