2014 MCAS and Accountability Release Schedule

The 2014 MCAS and Accountability Release Schedule was recently posted to the DESE Web site. Here is a summary of some key dates:

• June 23rd - partial* preliminary MCAS Student Rosters posted electronically at DropBox Central in the Security Portal
• June 26th - partial* preliminary reports available in Edwin Analytics 
• August 7th - full preliminary MCAS results available in both DropBox Central and Edwin Analytics
• August 12th - Preliminary Accountability data provided through the Security Portal
• Aug 7-14th - MCAS discrepancy reporting window
• Mid-September - Official data released publicly (note, all data are embargoed prior to this date!)

*Partial results include: 

• ELA, full results 
• Mathematics, multiple-choice results only 
• STE, grades 5 and 8, multiple-choice results only 
• MCAS-Alt, full results in all subjects

Anticipated MCAS Reporting Schedule 2014

Here are the dates that were shared in last week's MCAS test administration training (FYI, the conference call version of the training is being offered again next Wednesday 2/12). Of course, these dates may be subject to change but are still very useful for planning!

 

Anticipated MCAS Reporting Schedule 2014
March 21	Access February Biology data files and rosters at DropBox Central
April 16	Access March Retest data files and rosters at DropBox Central
May 1	Districts receive February Biology and March Retest Parent/Guardian Reports
Mid-May	Schools and districts receive printed ACCESS for ELLs reports and data posted at DropBox Central
Mid-June	Districts access prelim MCAS and MCAS-Alt student results:
	ELA: preliminary results, including performance levels, scaled scores, and SGPs
	Math: multiple choice only
	STE (5&8): multiple choice only
	MCAS-Alt
	MCAS ELA long comps available at MCASservicecenter.com
July 1-July 31	MCAS discrepancy reporting by phone
August 6	Preliminary Math and STE MCAS results (combined with June ELA)
August 6-12	MCAS discrepancy reporting online
mid-September	Official results in security portal for districts
(week of Sept 19)	One day later: Public release of results; Parent/Guardian Reports shipments
Note: data will be in Edwin Analytics within 3 days of DropBox release

Full Preliminary MCAS and Accountability Results

By now, you probably have taken a look at the full preliminary MCAS results and preliminary accountability data that DESE released last week (see the SAS update for more info). DESE held two webinars last week to provide more explanation and guidance. Thanks to my colleague Paula O'Sullivan (Greater Boston DSAC) for passing along some of the key points from the webinar, as I was unable to attend.

• All data is embargoed until the public release in September! DESE states that you can use it for planning and research with appropriate staff and to let students know they earned a diploma. You should not discuss aggregate results in public or show preliminary aggregate reports at school committee meetings.
• The MCAS discrepancy window closes on Tues August 13th at 5 p.m.
• The state has changed slightly how they calculate the growth data, in that they now compare each student to a historical academic peer group. This means that the state SGP for each grade level will no longer necessarily be 50, it may be a bit higher or lower. The state results will be released in September.
• The student file now includes, for each student, how long that student has been enrolled in your district, and in your school. In the future, Edwin Analytics will provide reports with MCAS results disaggregated by these variables.
• Classroom reports with EOY SIMS data may be available in early September.
• Preliminary accountability reports are available in a separate application within the security portal. More detailed webinars will be held in a few weeks. You can register on DESE's site. Updated guidance is also available. 
• Later this calendar year, DESE anticipates rolling out Edwin Analytics to teachers.

Please let me know if you have any questions as you explore your preliminary data. I hope to see many of you at the upcoming regional Edwin Analytics workshops.

2012 MCAS and Accountability Data Release

The recent Commissioner's Update contained an announcement regarding the release of the 2012 MCAS and accountability data, including a release schedule, MCAS discrepancy reporting information, review of provisional and preliminary accountability data, EDW updates, and reporting teleconferences on August 6 and 7.

The full announcement is online here: http://www.doe.mass.edu/news/news.aspx?id=6928.

2011 MCAS and Accountability Data

DESE recently posted important information regarding 201l MCAS preliminary data and accountability data, and for discrepancy reporting. Please see the Commissioner's Memo and printable Release Schedule for complete details. Some upcoming dates are listed below:

August 8: District/school leaders can begin to access full preliminary (embargoed) 2011 MCAS results through the Security Portal (first in DropBox, then in EDW)

August 9: District/school leaders can access to preliminary (embargoed) school and district accountability data through the Security Portal.

August 8 (2:30 pm) OR August 9 (10:00 am): MCAS and Accountability Reporting Teleconference (register at www.mcasservicecenter.com)

The Commissioner's Memo also mentions the updates and improvements that will take place in the Education Data Warehouse later in August. I'll certainly be sharing additional information as it becomes available!