BOSTON – Senator Michael O. Moore (D-Millbury) is encouraging local residents to provide feedback and recommendations regarding the development of the next-generation Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS). Comments and suggestions may be submitted through an online survey established to provide input to educators serving on the English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics standards review panel.

Last November, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted in favor of transitioning to a next-generation MCAS that would incorporate both Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) and MCAS items, along with components developed specifically for the Massachusetts tests. The new testing module was the recommended approach submitted for consideration by Commissioner Mitchell D. Chester of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

“The success of our public education system is dependent on a vested interest by residents in providing students with the skills needed to excel on an international stage,” said Senator Moore. “There is significant value in receiving feedback from students, parents and educators to help develop the next-generation MCAS. This information is critical to meeting our educational goals and providing students with a strong academic foundation.”

MCAS was first designed to meet the requirements of the Education Reform Law of 1993. Successful completion of MCAS is one condition of eligibility to receive a high school diploma in the Commonwealth. The next-generation MCAS is scheduled for administration in classrooms across the Commonwealth in 2017.

The online survey is available until the end of May by visiting: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/2570879/MCAS-2-0-ELA-and-Math-Standards-Refinement.