MCAS Testing to Take Better Part of 4 Months
– Allison Goldsberry
MCAS testing begins in March and will continue into early June. Children in grades three through twelve will be tested in various subjects.
According to School Superintendent Roy Belson, there are some changes with the exam this year. High school students will have to pass a science exam in addition to the math and language arts exams. In addition, Belson said students and the school district must show that students “strove” to achieve a proficiency score of 240, though 220 is what’s needed to pass the exam.
“It is important that we signal to everyone that there is more to be done than just achieving 220,” said Belson.
School Committee members, along with Belson, stressed the importance of students getting a good night’s sleep, taking the exam seriously, and showing up for the test, as too many missed days on the exam count negatively against the school and district.
The schedule of the MCAS exam, which can be found online, is as follows:
High School
February 25-March 19
MELA-O, for LEP students in grades K-12
March 10-19
MEPA-R/W, for LEP students in grades 3-12
March 3
Mathematics Retest, Session 1, for students in grades 11 and 12 and repeating 10th graders
March 4
Mathematics Retest, Session 2, for students in grades 11, 12, and repeating 10th graders
March 5
ELA Composition Retest, Sessions A and B, for students in grades 11, 12 and repeating 10th graders
March 6
ELA Reading Comprehension Retest, Sessions 1 and 2, for students in grades 11, 12 and repeating 10th graders
March 7
ELA Reading Comprehension Retest, Session 3, for students in grades 11, 12 and repeating 10th graders
March 10-19
MEPA-R/W, for LEP students in grades 3-12
March 26
ELA Reading Comprehension, Sessions 1 & 2, Grade 10
March 27
ELA Reading Comprehension, Session 3, Grade 10
April 2
ELA Composition Make-up, students in Grades 4, 7, 10 not tested on March 25
April 18
MCAS Alternative Assessment, for students with significant disabilities in Grade 12 who are working toward a CD
May 21
Math, Session 1, Grade 10
May 22
Math, Session 2, Grade 10
May 23-May 29
US History, Grades 10, 11
June 3
High School Science, Session 1, Grades 9, 10
June 4
High School Science, Session 2, Grades 9, 10
Middle School
February 25-March 19
MELA-O, for LEP students in grades K-12
March 10-19
MEPA-R/W, for LEP students in grades 3-12
March 25
ELA Composition Sessions A & B, Grades 4, 7, 10
March 24-April 4
ELA Reading Comprehension, Grades 5, 6, 8
March 26-April 4
ELA Reading Comprehension, Grades 4, 7
April 2
ELA Composition Make-up, students in Grades 4, 7, 10 not tested on March 25
April 18
MCAS Alternative Assessment, for students with significant disabilities in Grades 3-8 and Grade 10
May 12-May 29
Math, Grades 3-8
May 13-May 29
Science and Technology/Engineering, Grades 5, 8
May 14-May 29
History and Social Science Test, Grades 5, 7
Elementary School
February 25-March 19
MELA-O, for LEP students in grades K-12
March 10-19
MEPA-R/W, for LEP students in grades 3-12
March 24-April 4
ELA Reading Comprehension, Grade 3
March 25
ELA Composition Sessions A & B, Grades 4, 7, 10
March 24-April 4
ELA Reading Comprehension, Grades 5, 6, 8
March 26-April 4
ELA Reading Comprehension, Grades 4, 7
April 2
ELA Composition Make-up, students in Grades 4, 7, 10 not tested on March 25
April 18
MCAS Alternative Assessment, for students with significant disabilities in Grades 3-8 and Grade 10
May 12-May 29
Math, Grades 3-8
May 13-May 29
Science and Technology/Engineering, Grades 5, 8
May 14-May 29
History and Social Science Test, Grades 5, 7
Brooks Elementary School Open for March 4 Special Election
Voters in Ward 6, Precinct 1 who vote at the Brooks Elementary School will still be able to do so for the March 4 Special Election for state representative. School Superintendent Belson said Room 114, an empty Kindergarten classroom with direct access to the street, will be set up as a polling location. The city is setting aside some parking on Allston Street to accommodate voters. Voters are asked to not park in the school parking lot or drive through the lot or driveway.