2013 Educator's Manual for MCAS-Alt - Massachusetts Department ...

MCAS-Alt Portfolios Submitted to Meet the Competency
Determination Requirement
A. General Requirements to Earn a Competency Determination in Each Subject
When the IEP or 504 team determines that a student taking an alternate assessment may be able to earn a
Competency Determination (CD) in a subject, a “competency portfolio” must be submitted. The
Department strongly encourages collaboration between general and special educators on the
development of these portfolios. If the student is able to demonstrate a level of performance
comparable to or higher than that of a student who has scored Needs Improvement on the high school
MCAS tests in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, and Science and Technology/ Engineering
(STE), the student will be awarded a CD in that subject. The requirements for compiling and submitting
the “competency portfolio” follow:
In order to earn a CD in a content area, a student portfolio must be submitted that demonstrates
knowledge and skills at grade 10 level or higher
1. reflects a performance that is equivalent to or higher than a student who has received a score of
Needs Improvement in ELA, Mathematics, and/or STE
2. demonstrates that the student has independently addressed all required learning standards and
strands in the subject being assessed, as described in the portfolio requirements for ELA,
Mathematics, and/or STE
3. consists of work samples compiled under the direct supervision of staff in the district,
collaborative, or approved private special education school submitting the appeal
The Department will gradually transition to the 2011 curriculum frameworks in English language arts
and mathematics which will likely result in changes to the competency portfolio requirements in the
future. However, the 2012−2013 competency portfolios will be based on the standards described in the
2001 ELA and the 2000 mathematics curriculum frameworks (with the exception of learning standard
10.G.11 in mathematics, which has been excluded from the requirements). STE appeals will continue to
be based on the 2006 STE curriculum frameworks.
Panels of ELA, mathematics, and STE content experts will review each portfolio and make individual
determinations in each subject. Each work sample must be accompanied by a 2013 High School
Competency Portfolio Work Description found in the Product Description Labels/Blank Data Charts
section of this manual.
Students who earn a score of Needs Improvement in ELA and Mathematics must also fulfill the
requirements of an Educational Proficiency Plan (EPP) in order to be eligible for a diploma. Additional
information on EPPs is available on the Department’s website at www.doe.mass.edu/ccr/epp/.
MASSACHUSETTS COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM
2013 Educator’s Manual for MCAS-Alt
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