MCAS

The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) was implemented in response to the Education Reform
Law of 1993 , which required that MCAS be designed to:

• Test all public school students across the Commonwealth, including students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency
• Be administered annually in selected grades
• Measure performance based on the learning standards in the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks
• Report on the performance of individual students, schools, and districts
• Serve as one basis of accountability for students, schools, and districts (for example, students must pass the grade 10 MCAS tests or retests in order to become eligible to earn a high school diploma)

MCAS in Room 25

Everyone has an opinion on MCAS. My opinion is that MCAS is a requirement in all Massachusetts public schools. Therefore, as a teacher in a Massachusetts public school, it is my responsibility to best prepare my students for this test. This does not mean that I "teach to the test". What it means is that I teach the material laid out in the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks (the material the State says I have to teach). By teaching the material in these Frameworks, I am teaching the material the state will choose from to make up the MCAS test.

In preparing to take my Math Certification Test, I took a "prep" course at Salem State College. This course was a review of the material that I could expect to see on my standardized test. The best tool I believe my instructor gave me during this course was the numerous problems he assigned for homework. During each class my instructor would then go over, in a step by step process, any of the problems the class had questions on. I believe that this repetitive motion, and a detailed explanation of how to approach and solve each problem, was instrumental in my test taking success. I believe my students deserve the same preparation.

This year my students will be given sample MCAS questions nearly every day. They will be given time alone, and time with their peers, to solve the problem. As a class we will then discuss the best approach to solving the problem. I believe that this repetitive motion will give my students the skills, and confidence, they deserve to not only approach and solve MCAS test questions but any other Math question they may be given.

Daily MCAS questions (just for Emily!)

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MCAS Schedule

The Mathematic MCAS testing typically takes place in May. As soon as the dates are announced, they will be posted here.

Tips for helping your child prepare for the MCAS

• Make sure your child is in school and does all their homework and assignments. This will help make sure your child is prepared for the test.
• Encourage your child to do their best. Let him/her know you believe in him/her.
• Make sure your child gets enough sleep on the night before the test.
• Ensure that your child eats a healthy breakfast. Avoid heavy foods that may make him/her groggy and avoid high sugar food that my make him/her hyper.
• Make sure that your child gets up early enough so that he/she doesn't have to rush to arrive at school on time.
• Mark down test days on your calendar so you and your child are both aware of testing dates.
• Talking about the test with your child can relieve stress about test taking.

Below is a link to the Massachusetts Department of Education's (DOE) MCAS website. This link brings you to the MCAS Sample Student Work and Scoring Guides. Here you can find sample questions from previous years MCAS tests. You may find it helpful to print some of these samples and go over them with your child.

MCAS Sample Student Work and Scoring Guide

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