MCAS: What Is It? How To Prepare Your Child

I’ve been hearing about the MCAS for years, but honestly knew few actual details about it.

As a parent of two third graders about to embark on taking the test, I thought it was high time to research it.  As my college professors always told us, “if one of you has a question, it means at least one other person in the class has the same question so ask!” I did research and here’s what I found:

MCAS stands for Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System.  According to the Department of Education  Web site, the MCAS is designed to meet the requirements of the Education Reform Law of 1993. This law specifies that the testing program must:

• test all public school students in Massachusetts, including students with disabilities and limited English proficient students
• measure performance based on the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework learning standards
• report on the performance of individual students, schools and districts

As required by the Education Reform Law, students must pass the 10th grade tests in English Language Arts and Mathematics as one condition of eligibility for a high school diploma (in addition to fulfilling local requirements).  

The MCAS program is also used to hold schools and districts accountable, on a yearly basis, for the progress they have made toward the objective of the No Child Left Behind Law that all students be proficient in Reading and Mathematics by 2014.

The MCAS is given to all students in Grades 3-12 in Massachusetts whether they are in public or private school, are institutionalized or are in the custody of the Department of Social Services or the Department of Youth Services.

The only students notrequired or entitled by law to take the MCAS are home schooled students and a certain classification of foreign exchange student.

Three subject areas are covered in the MCAS:

• English Language Arts (ELA)
• Mathematics
• Science and Technology/Engineering

Many children, including my own, feel some sort of anxiety heading into the MCAS.

It’s important that kids understand that the test is untimed so they can take as long as they need provided it’s within one day for that single test. They should focus on doing their best work not their fastest work. 

For children with an IEP (Individual Education Plan) or 504 plan there may be certain accommodations made for your child. It’s best to check with your child’s teacher or Special education liaison, if you have any questions in this regard.

It’s also important to note the format of the MCAS which is comprised of five types of answer formats:

Multiple-choice (on all tests but ELA Composition): select correct answer from four options given

Short-answer (only found on the Math test): students provide a numerical solution or brief statement

Short-response (only for grade three ELA): this includes a brief response to a reading comprehension question

Open-response(on all tests but ELA Composition): students generate their own response

Writing prompts (only on ELA Composition tests): students produce a written composition

Remember to have your child get a good night’s sleep the night before the tests and make sure they have a good breakfast, consisting of protein to fuel their brain.

For further information, please  visit the MCAS Web page: http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/overview.html

If you continue to have questions or concerns, please also discuss them with your child's teacher or principal.