Participation in the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment exam is mandated by the Education Reform Law passed in 1993. All students in the state of Massachusetts who attend a school funded by state public funds must participate in the MCAS exam. Special accommodations can be made for students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency.
The MCAS exam test assesses the comprehension of students in three broad subjects. English language arts, mathematics, and science and technology / engineering are all tested. Questions are formatted in a variety of ways including multiple choice, open-ended questions, writing prompts, short response and short answer. Sample test questions are available on the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website.
All question formats are scored by two independent scorers on grading scales with the exception of multiple choice questions. Multiple choice answers are scored by an electronic grading system. Scores are reported for individual students, schools and school districts. Scores can fall into one of four broad categories according to performance level. Categories for performance ranging from low to high are warning, needs improvement, proficient and advanced. Students are required to pass MCAS exams in English language arts, mathematics and one high school science area to be eligible to receive a high school diploma in the state of Massachusetts.
Students with significant disabilities who cannot participate in the traditional MCAS exam even with accommodations are eligible to participate in an MCAS alternate assessment. Only about one percent of students are eligible for this option. This alternate assessment consists of a portfolio of educational materials collected by the student and teacher throughout the school year. Portfolios can include any type of media that demonstrates the student's knowledge and comprehension of a specific subject area.