PARCC, MCAS-Alt , and Related Topics for Students with Disabilities Presenter : Dan Wiener

1. PARCC, MCAS-Alt , and Related Topics for Students with Disabilities Presenter: Dan Wiener Administrator of Inclusive Assessment Student Assessment Services MAAPS Meeting October 24, 2013

2. What is PARCC? The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers: • Made up of 20 states, chaired by Commissioner Chester • Developing common, high-quality English language arts (ELA) and math tests for grades 3–11 • Computer-based , with paper-based option • Linked to what students need to know for college and careers • Two summative assessment components • Performance-Based Assessment (PBA) • End-of-Year Assessment (EOY) • Operational starting in 2014–15 • Schools have option to take either PARCC or MCAS Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

3. PARCC Field Test in Spring 2014 • Random selection of public schools and classrooms for field testing in Spring 2014 • Most participating students will take one field test in one content area next spring. • Some students will take the field test on a computer, others on paper. • No student results will be reported. • Students taking MCAS-Alt will not participate in PARCC field or operational testing. • Will submit annual MCAS-Alt portfolios, as before. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

4. PARCC Accessibility and Accommodations • PARCC Accommodations and Accessibility Manual available at http://www.parcconline.org/parcc-accessibility-features-and-accommodations-manual • Many accessibility features that are considered accommodations on MCAS will be built into the computer-based test and are available to all students. • Keyboard, screen magnification, pop-up glossaries, etc. • Other accommodations are available only to students with disabilities and English learners. • A list of available features and accommodations will be provided later this fall for the field test. • Teams should continue to identify accommodations needed by students with disabilities and list them in IEP/504 plans. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

5. Transition to 2011 Curriculum Frameworks for MCAS-Alt High School Mathematics will be added next year “Next Generation Science Standards” under development Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

6. “Essence” of standard:Solve mathematical problems involving 3-D shapes Grade 8 Standard8.G.A.9 Know the formulas for volume of cones, cylinders, and spheres, and use them to solve real-world and mathematical problems. Calculate the surface area of a cube Sort two-dimensional shapes by attribute (e.g., number of sides) Match same shapes with different orientations Visually track geometric shapes Standard Access Skills Entry Points Less Complex More Complex Access to Geometry Standards Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

7. Mathematics Domains and the Grades in Which They Are Taught and Assessed KEY MA = Unique Massachusetts standards  = Assessed by MCAS-Alt

8. Assess choice of one entry point in: • Reading • Writing (Grades 4, 7, 10) • Language (“Vocabulary Acquisition and Use”) KEY  = Assessed by MCAS-Alt

9. Common Reasons for Scores of Incomplete in a Content Area Strand was scored “M” because the data chart: • included too few dates – 8 are required for the targeted skill • assessed more than one skill – only one skill per strand • activity descriptions did not match the measurable outcome • activity descriptions lacked clarity/specificity • targeted skill did not align with required standard • listed dates when school was not in session • Weekends, vacations, holidays • started at 80-100% accuracy AND independence Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

10. How PrincipalsCan Ensure that Accurate, Complete Portfolios are Submitted • Ask teachers if all dates on the data charts are accurate • Look at brief descriptions on the data chart • Do they adequately describe the activities? • Do they match the measurable outcome? • If other teachers in the school conduct MCAS-Alt, ask them to review each other’s portfolios • Sign the MCAS-Alt PCPA (Principal only) Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

11. Principals Supporting Teachers Who Conduct MCAS-Alt • Assess capacity to complete the required number of MCAS-Alt portfolios • Which teachers need support? Who can give it? • Most teachers (82%) responsible for 1-6 portfolios. • Appoint MCAS-Alt “lead educator” in school and/or district to • find answers, give advice, be available as needed • Register teachers to attend training and review sessions in Oct-Jan-March. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

12. Supporting Teachers (continued…) • Consider providing teachers: • Flexible scheduling • Planning time to work on portfolios • Designating other staff to assist in collection of evidence and/or give classroom coverage • Occasional sub coverage, if compiling >3 portfolios • Encourage an early start and remaining organized • Review emerging portfolios • Contact Department with questions • Review MCAS-Alt newsletter and other available resources • Retrieve results in mid-June and share with teachers. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

13. Dates to Remember • Portfolios-in-Progress: ½-day review sessions with MCAS-Alt Training Specialists • January 7-10, 2014 (Overview & Review Sessions) • Feb. 26, 27, March 10, 11 • Order MCAS and MCAS-Alt materials: Jan. 6-17 • Binders received in schools: last week in Feb. • Portfolios due: Friday,April 4, 2014 • Preliminary results: posted mid-June • MCAS-Alt Score Appeals deadline:June 27, 2014 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

14. Contact Information MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education – Student Assessment (781-338-3625) • Dan Wiener – dwiener@doe.mass.edu • Debra Hand – dhand@doe.mass.edu • General Inquiries – mcas@doe.mass.edu Measured Progress • MCAS Service Center – 800-737-5103 • Jake Goldsmith – goldsmith.jake@measuredprogress.org • Kevin Froton – froton.kevin@measuredprogress.org Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education