Educator Resources

Below are resources and tools educators can utilize to help instruct curriculum and to administer MCAS. In particular, please visit DESE’s Center for Instructional Support and the MCAS Resource Center for a wealth of resources. Please check this site again as it will be regularly updated throughout the school year. 

Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks (MCF)

• DESE Massachusetts Curriculum and Instruction Page (MCF Content)
• DESE Model Curriculum Examples
• DESE “What to Look For” Observation Guides  - These guides describe what observers should expect to see in a classroom at a particular grade level in a specific subject area, including the knowledge and skills students should be learning and using (as reflected in state learning standards).
• Achievethecore.org - This content is designed to help educators understand and implement the Common Core State Standards. It includes practical tools designed to help students and teachers see their hard work deliver results.
• Teachingchannel.org - Teaching Videos on various subjects and topics

BPS PD MCAS 2.0 Materials

• Spring 2018 BPS Optional MCAS Training Materials

MCAS Test Design/Blueprints and Resources

ELA Test Design:

• 2018 ELA Test Designs: Grades 3 – 8
• 2018 ELA Test Design: Grade 10 (Legacy test)
• 2019 ELA Test Design: Grade 10 (Next Generation)

ELA Resources:

• ELA Rubrics

• 2018 Grades 3 – 4: Short Response Rubric
• 2018 Grades 3 – 5: Essay Rubric
• 2018 Grades 6 – 8: Essay Rubric
• 2018 Grade 10: Open Response Rubric
• 2018 Grade 10: Composition Rubric
• 2019 Grade 10 Essay Rubric

• 2017 MCAS Sample Student Work and Scoring Guides 

Math Test Design:

• 2018 Mathematics Test Design: Grades 3-8
• 2018 Mathematics Test Design: Grade 10 (Legacy)
• 2018 Grade 10 (Legacy) Math Reference Sheet
• 2019 Mathematics Test Design: Grade 10 (Next Generation)
• 2019 Mathematics Test Cluster Alignment
• 2019 Grade 10 Math Reference Sheet 

Math Resources:

• 2018 Calculator policy
• Grade 5 Math Reference Sheet
• Grade 6 Math Reference Sheet
• Grade 7 Math Reference Sheet
• Grade 8 Math Reference Sheet 

STE Test Design:

• Legacy Grades 5 and 8 STE Test Design (2018 and prior)

• 2018 Grade 5 Overlapping Science and Technology Engineering Standards
• 2018 Grade 8 Overlapping Science and Technology Engineering Standards

• Legacy Biology and Introductory Physics Test Design
• Legacy Chemistry and Technology/Engineering Test Design
• June 2019 High School Biology Overlapping Standards
• June 2019 High School Introductory Physics Overlapping Standards 

STE Resources:

• Cognitive Skills Descriptions for Science and Technology/Engineering MCAS Item

MCAS Practice Related

• MCAS Student Tutorial & Practice Tests
• MCAS Grades 3-8 CBT Released Items – 2017 and 2018
• MCAS Released Items for all assessments – 2013 to 2018

MCAS Test Coordination and Administration Training Related

DESE’s Training Sessions:

• MCAS Alternate Assessment (MCAS-Alt) Resources and Training
• Pre-Administration Tasks for Technology Staff – powerpoint presentation
• Overview of Infrastructure Trials– powerpoint presentation
• MCAS “Office Hours” on CBT Topics – Creating, Preparing, Starting and Monitoring/Managing PAN Sessions – powerpoint presentation
• MCAS “Office Hours” on CBT Topics – Tasks at the Beginning of Test Administration – powerpoint presentation
• MCAS “Office Hours” on CBT Topics – Updating Accommodations in PAN & Tasks at the End of Testing – powerpoint presentation 

Grades 3 – 8:

• MCAS Test Security and Administration Protocols for Grades 3-8 – powerpoint presentation
• MCAS Test Security and Administration Protocols for Grades 3-8 Q & A
• Spring 2018 Principal’s Administration Manual for Grades 3-8 CBT and PBT
• Spring 2018 MCAS Computer-Based Test Administration Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

High School:

• MCAS Test Security and Administration Protocols for High Schools – powerpoint presentation

• Spring 2018 Principal’s Administration Manual for High School (pdf)
• MCAS Test Security and Administration Protocols for High Schools Q&A

Other Resources:

• MCAS 2.0 Test Coordinator Day 1 Survival Guide

• Infrastructure Trial Readiness Guide - Spring 2018

MCAS Accessibility and Accommodations Related

Grades 3 – 8:

• Accessibility and Accommodations Manual for the Spring 2018 MCAS Grades 3-8 Tests (Revised: December 2017)
• Accessibility and Accommodations Jan 11, 2018 training session – powerpoint presentation
• Accessibility Features and Accommodations – online training module
• Guidelines for Using Assistive Technology as an MCAS Test Accommodation
• Graphic Organizers, Checklists, and Supplemental Reference Sheets for Use by Students with Disabilities

High School:

• Requirements for the Participation of Students with Disabilities and English Language Learners in the 2017–2018 MCAS High School Tests
• Resources for Administering Accommodation 20

MCAS Technology Related

• Spring 2018 MCAS CBT Readiness Checklist for Technology Coordinators
• Technology Specifications for the Next-Generation MCAS Assessments - Version 5.0 - March, 2018

• Computer-based Testing Device Planner

MCAS Scheduling Related

• 2017–2018 Statewide Testing Schedule and Administration Deadlines for MCAS Tests, Retests, Field Tests and Question Tryouts, MCAS Alternate Assessment, MCAS/EPP Mathematics Test, and ACCESS for ELLs - Last updated December 8, 2017
• 2018-2019 Statewide Testing Schedule for Grades 3–8 and High School  - as of March 29, 2018

MCAS Student Registration (SR) and Personal Needs Profile (PNP)

• Guide to the Student Registration/Personal Needs Profile (SR/PNP) Process for the 2017–2018 MCAS Tests
• Overview of the Student Registration/Personal Needs Profile (SR/PNP) Process – Jan 18, 2018 WebEx powerpoint presentation
• Q and A from Jan 18, 2018 SR/PNP Training Session
• Student Registration/Personal Needs Profile - online training module