High School Graduation, MCAS, and Accommodations

To receive a full diploma in public schools, students must meet individual school system course requirements as
well as reach new threshold scores for MCAS. We have adjusted our curriculum to be better aligned with the Mass Core Curriculum
guidelines recently revised by the state. Learning Prep does not require students to meet the new higher threshold scores for
MCAS to receive a diploma. Students will receive a Learning Prep School diploma as long as they meet all our other graduation
requirements. Many post-graduate programs accept our diploma for entrance into their programs. However, I hope the information
that follows clarifies some of the changes for students seeking a diploma from their public schools.

While the scoring categories will not change (Failing, Needs Improvement, Proficient, Advanced), until now students needed
to receive a 220 (Needs Improvement) or better on English/Language Arts and Mathematics MCAS to meet the Competency Determination
(CD) rating for a full public school diploma. A student reaching 220, Needs Improvement, has still ‘passed’ MCAS, but the CD
performance level has been raised to Proficient, or 240. The Department of Education feels they have a new initiative that will
support students in meeting the new scoring requirements. The school will be asked to create an Educational Proficiency Plan for
each student scoring 220 or above, but below 240. It is hoped that students who have achieved a Needs Improvement score may still
meet the Competency Determination requirement if they fulfill this plan. The full details are not yet available to us, but the plan
will include at least the following:

• A review of a student’s strengths and weaknesses in the content area.
• A list of the courses the student will take and successfully complete in middler, junior and senior years to move
  towards proficiency in grade 10 curriculum standards as well as grade 11 and 12 standards in ELA and Algebra II
  standards in Mathematics.
• A description of the assessment(s) the school will use to determine a student’s progress towards meeting those
  grade level standards.

Students scoring less than 220 are not eligible to participate in this program. They will continue to have
the option of taking the retests each year.

In addition, beginning with students graduating in 2010 (this year’s junior class and lower grades), all students will also be
required to pass a Science test in one of the content areas. Students are eligible to take a science test beginning in grade 9.
At this time our students may take Biology (Life Science) or Technology/Engineering. For these tests a 220, or Needs Improvement,
is required for a CD diploma.

The History/Social Science content test is U.S. History. It is not administered specifically at grade 10 because curriculums
vary in schools; but it is to be taken the year in which students take the course. Our students currently take the test in their
Middler year. They do not yet receive a performance score or testing report at this time as it is still considered to be in pilot
stage. It is scheduled to become a mandatory exam for graduation in 2012, which is the graduation year for our students entering
grade 10 (sophomores) this school year.

This year’s testing schedule for Grades 8-12 is below. The dates for Grade 10 tests are specifically set by the state.
We have some leeway with grade 8 and schedule their tests around the Grade 10 tests. While the elementary/middle school schedule
is similar you must contact them or refer to the school calendar for their specific schedule.

Retests in ELA and Math are available to those who have not reached a score of 240 or above,
called the CD (Competency Determination) on the Grade 10 tests. Students may take these exams as many times as they wish.
Retests are given twice a year. Next year’s Retest dates are:

• Nov. 5-7 ELA.
• Nov. 12, 13 Math.
• March 2-4 ELA.
• March 5,6 Math.

Spring, 2009 testing dates are:

• March 31 ELA Composition.
• April 1-2 ELA Reading Comprehension.
• May 19-20 Mathematics.

• April 6-8 ELA Reading Comprehension.
• May 11-15 Mathematics and Science.

• May 21,22 U.S.History.

• Feb. 2-3: Biology.
• June 4-5 Biology; Technology/Engineering.

For testing purposes, students are grouped according to their accommodations. I try to place students, as often as possible,
with a staff member they know. When IEP’s are written, accommodations are agreed upon for state/MCAS testing.
The state has notified public schools that they are monitoring those accommodations considered to be “non-standard” more critically
in order to limit their use. They are referring specifically to those that allow the reading of test materials to students in
English/Language Arts and using calculators in all parts of the mathematics test. Because the state now provides specific testing
packages for students with the special accommodation to have the ELA test read to them, some students may now be tested in small
groups of 3-5 students instead of 1:1, as in the past. As a result, these accommodations may be a point of discussion in IEP meetings.
For more information on your child, please discuss the issue with his/her liaison.

If you have any questions about MCAS, I may be reached at school at extension 454. This and other MCAS information may also be
found on our school web page.

Sharon Risso, High School Testing Coordinator