ensuringtechnicalquality.docVIP

Ensuring Technical Quality: Policies and Procedures Guiding the Development of the MCAS Tests September 2008 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148 Phone 781-338-3000 TTY: N.E.T. Relay 800-439-2370 This document was prepared by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D. Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, an affirmative action employer, is committed to ensuring that all of its programs and facilities are accessible to all members of the public. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation. Inquiries regarding the Department’s compliance with Title IX and other civil rights laws may be directed to the Human Resources Director, 350 Main St., Malden, MA 02148 781-338-6105. ? 2008 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Permission is hereby granted to copy any or all parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes. Please credit the “Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.” This document printed on recycled paper Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148-5023 Phone 781-338-3000 TTY: N.E.T. Relay 800-439-2370 Contents Acknowledgement 3 Foreword 3 Introduction 3 Background of the MCAS Program 3 The MCAS Tests 3 MCAS Test Administration 3 Performance Standards 3 Reporting MCAS Results 3 Student Participation in the MCAS Tests 3 MCAS and High School Graduation 3 Additional Resource 3  Acknowledgement The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education wishes to thank Charles DePascale, Senior Associate at the National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment, Inc., for his contribution to this document.