Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS)

The state of Massachusetts is dedicated to providing the best possible education for their students. To help monitor how well schools are doing, they have developed the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS). This testing system is administered to children in the third through the tenth grades. The test also fulfills the states obligation to the No Child Left Behind Act.

MCAS is administered each year to all children regardless of their learning status. All children, even those with disabilities or other issues are tested to give the best overall picture of how things are going within the school. The elementary and middle school classes are tested first with the high school classes tested later in the year.

MCAS Results

Results of the MCAS testing are later released to schools. The results are released to students, schools, and government districts. Schools are given grades based on performance ranging from Advanced being the best grade all the way down to Failure, which is the worst grade possible.

MCAS results are used for a variety of purposes. Parents and teachers can use the results to track a particular student's progress from year to year. Schools can also use the results to identify weaknesses in their teaching methods and work to fix those problem areas. Students are also required to pass the MCAS in the areas of math and English in order to graduate from high school.

All students in the Massachusetts public school system are required to take the MCAS every year. Students who attend charter schools that receive state funds must take the test. Students with disabilities and limited English proficiency are not exempt from this test. Having the widest variety of student types helps to keep the results that are reported as accurate as possible.

For more information about the MCAS visit wwww.continentalacademy.com.