There is nothing common about states combining to create an assessment. 

Yet, it happened in 2003 when New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont joined to form the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP). NECAP expanded to include the State of Maine in December 2008. Measured Progress is the contractor for NECAP, the only multi-state, large-scale testing partnership of its kind. NECAP tests students in the four states on common reading, writing, and mathematics standards. 

The states originally came together in 2002. Educators from the states worked with Measured Progress to set standards and develop tests for students in grades three through eight. (While Maine was involved in early Compact discussions, statutory requirements initially precluded the state from adopting the NECAP assessment.) 

New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont administered the first operational NECAP test to students in grades three through eight in 2005. The program expanded to include students in grade 11 in 2006, and again to test students in science in 2007. 

“We are proud to welcome Maine to NECAP,” said Stuart Kahl, Measured Progress chief executive officer. “The four states share a profound dedication to the education of their students and a heritage of leadership in high-quality, rigorous student assessments.” In addition to having previously worked on other programs in the three original NECAP states, Measured Progress shares a long, proud history with Maine, having served as the sole contractor for the Maine Educational Assessment since 1985. 

With the addition of Maine to the NECAP consortium, each of the states is likely to realize an even lower per-pupil testing cost, while still administering a high-quality assessment that includes a substantial proportion of constructed-response items. Maine will continue to develop and administer its own alternate and high school assessments and will transition into NECAP-Science in the future. 

Leaders from each of the NECAP states say they are excited about the future possibilities NECAP holds. Maine Governor John E. Baldacci said he sees the NECAP as the first step in building a collaborative approach to education in the New England states. 

Maine Education Commissioner Susan A. Gendron also expressed enthusiasm for the new partnership. 

“Maine has always been very excited about the NECAP but was unable to participate initially because of a required change in Maine statutes,” Gendron said. “We are very appreciative of the three states’ willingness to have Maine join the partnership. The New England states are a lot more alike than different––we have similar standards and rigorous expectations. This will help us maximize the quality of education and share the expertise of our educators.” 

Likewise, key leaders working to advance education in the original NECAP states welcome the addition of Maine to the consortium. 

“Through the NECAP partnership, we have developed clear and rigorous standards in English and mathematics, and we have implemented a fair yet challenging assessment system,” said Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri. “With Maine now joining our partnership, we have taken a significant step toward establishing the New England states as the national leaders in education quality and innovation.” 

“Maine was part of the original New England Compact that worked on common state standards. We are pleased to have them join with us as we move forward with our quality assessment program. It is important to remember that state assessment data is one piece of information that we use to document the progress of each child personally, physically, socially, and academically,” said New Hampshire Education Commissioner Lyonel Tracy. “Collaborative work is never easy, but it results in the best assessment possible for New Hampshire. I would like to thank my staff for their willingness to make this happen.” 

 “We are pleased that Maine has joined this important collaborative,” said Acting Vermont Education Commissioner Bill Talbott. “The development of this caliber of assessment would have been prohibitive if the states had worked individually. Maine’s participation will expand the resources, ideas, and expertise so the four New England states will enjoy a high-quality assessment for their students in mathematics and literacy.”

Krysten Godfrey-Maddocks