Massachusetts

What subjects are tested? 1
Language Arts
Reading
Mathematics
Writing
Science
Social Studies

What types of questions are used? 1
Multiple choice
Short written response
Extended written response

How are test results used? 1
High school graduation (exit requirement) (in the future)
Student diagnosis
Curriculum planning
Improvement of instruction
Program evaluation
School performance reporting
Warnings to schools
Schools placed on probation or watch lists
School takeovers

What tests are used? 1
Reading assessment (grade 3)
Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (grades 4, 8, 10)

Are students with disabilities exempt? 2, 3
No students are exempt.
In the future, a small percentage of students may take alternate assessments, as recommended by IEP team.

What accommodations are available so that students with disabilities can participate? 2
List of accommodations approved by state Department of Education.
Other accommodations available provided they are consistent with classroom instruction, as
recommended by IEP team.

How are scores of students with disabilities reported? 2
Reading assessment - School, district, and statewide reports both combine ("aggregate") and separate ("disaggregate") scores of students with and without disabilities.
Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System - not yet decided.
 
Footnotes:

1 Source: PEER Project Survey to expand and update information from Annual Survey of State Student Assessment Programs: Data on 1995-96 Statewide Student Assessment Programs. (Fall 1996). Council of Chief State School Officers.

2 Source: PEER Project review of state policy documents. Documents provided by the National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO). Information confirmed and updated by the PEER Project through direct communication with state officials.

3 NOTE: The IDEA Amendments of 1997 require that all students be included in statewide assessments.


 
Massachusetts Department of Education
Educational Improvement Group
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148-5023
781-388-3300
781-388-3394 Fax
www.doe.mass.edu
Contact: Marcia Mittnacht, State Director of Special Education:
781-388-3300 x439
mmittnacht@doe.mass.edu
Jeff Nellhaus, State Assessment Administrator
781-388-3300 x327, Fax: 781-388-3383

Massachusetts Parent Centers on Disability
Federation for Children with Special Needs
95 Berkeley St., Suite 104
Boston, MA 02116
617-482-2915 Voice and TTY
1-800-331-0688 in MA
617-695-2939 Fax
fcsninfo@fcsn.org
www.fcsn.org/
Contact: Richard J. Robison

IPEST
202 Lake Street
P.O. Box 4081
Vineyard Haven, MA 02568
508-693-8612
508-693-7717 Fax
Contact: Carol Kennedy

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