Amesbury Public Schools

Preparing Students to Create and Innovate within a Rapidly Changing World

What is MCAS and How are Test Results Used?

The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) is the Commonwealth's standards-based student assessment program. MCAS has the following primary purposes:

To evaluate student, school, and district performance according tot he Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks learning standards
To determine whether a student has met the state requirements for the Competency Determination (i.e., whether a student is eligible for a high school diploma)
To hold schools and districts accountable for making progress toward improvement targets set by the state plan under the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
To inform and improve curriculum and instruction
At the high school level, to determine whether your child meets one of the eligibility requirements for the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship and the Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery Award
Where can you find more information?
www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/parents