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Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS)
All students must pass three Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests to receive a diploma from a Massachusetts public high school. Students must pass MCAS tests in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. BPS students take the ELA and Mathematics MCAS tests in spring of the 10th grade. All students should be provided an opportunity to take a science MCAS test in June of the 9th grade.
Students who do not pass an MCAS test, who miss a regularly scheduled MCAS test, or who transfer to BPS without having passed the required high school MCAS tests, must take a retest. ELA and Mathematics retests are given in fall, winter, and early spring. There are no retests in science; students must take a regularly scheduled science MCAS test in February (Biology only) or June (All science tests are offered).
Below you will find a collection of resources that can be helpful as you prepare your students for the Science MCAS exams.
DESE Information and Resources
Statewide Testing Schedule, Administration Deadlines, & Information
MCAS ALT Assessment Information
MCAS Grade Level & Competency Portfolio Information
MA Graduation Requirements & Related Guidance Information
The Graduation Requirements page includes the memos that discuss the modifications to graduation requirements due to COVID-19 school closures in Spring 2020.
Frameworks
MA 2016 Science and Technology/Engineering (STE) MA Framework
Instructional Guidelines on the 2016 STE standards:
These documents are intended to provide additional guidance to support the content and instruction of the standards. The state is careful to note that the documents are not a complete guide. The standards highlighted were selected based on the number of inquiries from the field.
Standards Navigator
Assessment
High School Science MCAS Updates for 2022 (DESE STEM November 2021 Newsletter)
- February 2022 Biology Administration Eligibility
Students in the class of 2024 who completed a high school biology course last year in 2020–21 are eligible and should be provided the opportunity to take the February 2022 Biology test. The February Biology test will be a legacy, paper-based test. Please see the previous update for further information.
- June 2022 STE Tests
Four high school STE tests will be offered in June 2022: Biology, Introductory Physics, Chemistry, and Technology Engineering. Eligibility for each test is available on the Transition Information page. The Biology and Introductory Physics tests will be next-generation, computer-based tests aligned to the 2016 STE standards. The Chemistry and Technology/Engineering tests will be legacy, paper-based tests aligned to the 2006 STE standards. Please see the previous update for further information.
- STE Requirements for the CD for the Classes of 2020–2023
As a reminder, due to the COVID-19 school closures in spring 2020, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted that the STE component of the CD for students in the classes of 2020–2023 will be awarded upon demonstration of course credit in the relevant subject matter and competency in one of the four tested disciplines during their high school career. More information can be found on the Graduation Requirements and Related Guidance web page. - Next-Generation STE Tests will be Offered in American Sign Language and Spanish in June 2022
The next-generation Biology and Introductory Physics MCAS tests will be offered in both American Sign Language (ASL) and in Spanish in June of 2022.
Science and Technology/Engineering Practice Tests
Search the MA DESE MCAS Science question database for past questions by year, grade, question type, topic, framework. From this page you will also find links to the computer-based questions.
Next Generation MCAS HS Reporting Categories (+/- 5%)
- Biology: Molecules to Organisms (35%), Heredity (20%), Evolution (20%), Ecology (20%)
- Physics: Motion Forces (50%), Energy (30%), Waves (20%)
- Science and Engineering Practices: at least 50% of the test items will be dual-coded to one of three practice groups and reported out as 1 category
- Investigations and Questioning
- Mathematics and Data
- Evidence, Reasoning, and Modeling
Accessibility & Accommodations
Formula Sheets for use during MCAS testing: Physics, Chemistry, Technology/Engineering
DESE Authorized Accessibility and Accommodations, including Graphic Organizers and Bilingual Dictionaries and Glossaries
Grade 5 and 8: MCAS Support Materials by Unit
Former and current Science Department Staff (Thanks, Erin, Bev, and Holly!) organized MCAS questions by Science Unit so that you would be able to use them with your students. We recommend that you use the multiple choice questions as part of your "Do Now" routine. Give them a question or two and ask students to select the correct answer and then write an explanation as to why each of the other answers are incorrect. This provides an opportunity for students to really clarify their understanding about the content of the question and it will help you better understand where your students are in their learning.
N.B. The resources below were compiled for the legacy MCAS test. However, you may still find questions of use for your formative assessments or to support MCAS preparation.
N.B. The resources below were compiled for the legacy MCAS test. However, you may still find questions of use for your formative assessments or to support MCAS preparation.