Massachusetts

In 2004, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education again chose Measured Progress as its contractor for the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS). This contract involves complete operational implementation of assessments in English language arts, mathematics, science and technology, history, and social science. The MCAS tests approximately 525,000 students per year in grades 3 through 8 and high school.

Measured Progress maintains an effective and reliable service center devoted strictly to the Massachusetts assessment program. During a 1.5 year time period, the center’s staff received over 10,000 toll-free calls from superintendents, teachers, school administrators, and business/community people.

In 2008, Measured Progress received a five-year contract to continue development of the Massachusetts English Proficiency Assessment (MEPA) program, a part of the MCAS, the state’s comprehensive assessment system. The MEPA measures English proficiency achieved by Limited English Proficient (LEP) students over time. More than 55,000 students in five grade spans (K-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, and 9-12) are assessed in reading and writing. The test is administered twice annually, usually in the fall, to establish baseline performance levels for new students, and in the spring, to measure improvement. Beginning in 2009, LEP students may begin taking the MEPA online, a first step in implementing computer-based administration of the overall MCAS program on a wider scale. 

Measured Progress is also the contractor for the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS)-Alternate.

For more information, go to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Web site.