Table 1. Final English Language Arts/Literacy Ratings and Summary Statements, Grades Five and Eight (MCAS and PARCC) Content Sub-Criteria MCAS Rating MCAS Summary Statement PARCC Rating PARCC Summary Statement B.6 Vocabulary and On vocabulary and language skills,” the rating On vocabulary and language skills,” the rating is Excellent Match. The “emphasizing “emphasizing is Limited/Uneven Match. Vocabulary items are sufficient test contains an adequate number of high-quality items for both language use and language skills: Tests and generally aligned to the criterion; however, the grade Tier 2 vocabulary and awards sufficient score points, according to the program’s place sufficient emphasis five items need more words at the Tier 2 level. Furthermore, documentation, to both of these areas. on academic vocabulary L a lack of program documentation means that the quality of E and language conventions vocabulary assessments cannot be substantiated across forms. MCAS does not meet the criterion for assessing as used in real-world language skills, which call for them to be assessed within activities. writing assessments that mirror real- world activities including editing and revision. B.7 Research and On research and inquiry”, the rating is Weak On research and inquiry,” the rating is Excellent Match. The research “assessing “assessing Match. The assessment has no test questions devoted to items require analysis, synthesis, and/or organization and the use of multiple inquiry: Assessments sources, therefore meeting the criterion for Excellent. research. require students to W E demonstrate the ability to find, process, synthesize and organize information from multiple sources. B.8 Speaking and On assessing and listening,” the rating is Weak On assessing and listening,” the rating is Weak The program does “speaking “speaking Match. The program does not assess speaking or listening not assess speaking or listening at this time. Because this criterion is to be met listening: Over time, and at this time. Because this criterion is to be met time, time, as assessment advances allow,” this rating is not included in the “over “over as assessment advances as assessment advances allow,” this rating is not included overall rating for Content. allow, the assessments in the overall rating for Content. measure speaking and W W listening communication skills.
Table 1. Final English Language Arts/Literacy Ratings and Summary Statements, Grades Five and Eight (MCAS and PARCC) Content Sub-Criteria MCAS Rating MCAS Summary Statement PARCC Rating PARCC Summary Statement B.6 Vocabulary and language skills: Tests place sufficient emphasis on academic vocabulary and language conventions as used in real-world activities. L On “emphasizing vocabulary and language skills,” the rating is Limited/Uneven Match. Vocabulary items are sufficient and generally aligned to the criterion; however, the grade five items need more words at the Tier 2 level. Furthermore, a lack of program documentation means that the quality of vocabulary assessments cannot be substantiated across forms. MCAS does not meet the criterion for assessing language skills, which call for them to be assessed within writing assessments that mirror real- world activities including editing and revision. E On “emphasizing vocabulary and language skills,” the rating is Excellent Match. The test contains an adequate number of high-quality items for both language use and Tier 2 vocabulary and awards sufficient score points, according to the program’s documentation, to both of these areas. B.7 Research and inquiry: Assessments require students to demonstrate the ability to find, process, synthesize and organize information from multiple sources. W On “assessing research and inquiry”, the rating is Weak Match. The assessment has no test questions devoted to research. E On “assessing research and inquiry,” the rating is Excellent Match. The research items require analysis, synthesis, and/or organization and the use of multiple sources, therefore meeting the criterion for Excellent. B.8 Speaking and listening: Over time, and as assessment advances allow, the assessments measure speaking and listening communication skills. W On assessing “speaking and listening,” the rating is Weak Match. The program does not assess speaking or listening at this time. Because this criterion is to be met “over time, as assessment advances allow,” this rating is not included in the overall rating for Content. W On assessing “speaking and listening,” the rating is Weak The program does not assess speaking or listening at this time. Because this criterion is to be met “over time, as assessment advances allow,” this rating is not included in the overall rating for Content.
2015-10MCAS-PARCC-Evaluation.docx