All CPS students will take the MCAS 2.0 this spring. Last year students took the PARCC assessment, and prior to that students took the MCAS assessment. The design and content of the MCAS 2.0 is a combination of the aforementioned assessments.
ELA and Math teachers will spend a few days before the assessment familiarizing students with the design and layout of the exam. We do not spend a lot of time preparing for the assessment; we feel confident that our standards-based curricula provides students with an excellent, rigorous education that will prepare them well for the state assessment and beyond.
Some important features to know:
- It is untimed - students can take as much time as needed.
- The ELA and Math sections are all 2 test sessions each for all students in grades 6-8.
- The Science and Technology/Engineering section is also 2 test sessions for students in Grade 8 only.
- The ELA exam consists of reading passages, multiple choice questions, essays and text-based narrative writing.
- The Math exam consists of multiple choice questions, short answer/fill in the blank questions, open responses and multiple select questions.
- The 8th grade Science exam consists of multiple choice questions and open responses.
- The 8th grade will be testing on computers; 6th and 7th grade will be testing on paper.
Below are the test dates. Please make sure your student has a good night rest the night before and is on time to school the day of the test--all tests start in the morning:
- 6th Grade ELA Tues/Wed April 11 &12; Math Mon/Tues May 15 &16
- 7th Grade: ELA Thur/Fri April 6 & 7; Math Tues/Wed May 2 & 3
- 8th Grade: ELA Tues/Wed April 4 &5; Math Tues/Wed May 9 & 10; Science Thur May 18 & Tues May 23.