Grade 8 Civics Assessment Pilot Overview

Spring 2022 MCAS Grade 8 Civics Office Hours The Office of Student Assessment Services March 17, 2022

Presenters Ann Marie Gleeson, HSS Test Development Coordinator Shannon Cullen, MCAS and ACCESS Assessment Specialist David Ragsdale, Test Security Specialist Jodie Zalk, Test Administration Coordinator 2 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Logistics for This Training Session Questions may be asked at any time using the Q&A feature on the Zoom Webinar screen. o We will answer questions aloud as they are asked. o After the session, we will email questions and answers to participants. This session is being recorded and will be available online in about one week at the MCAS Resource Center. (URL:http://mcas.pearsonsupport.com/training/) 3 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

CONTENTS MCAS Grade 8 Civics Pilot Reminders 01 02 Questions and Answers CONTENTS 03 Resources, Support, and Next Steps

01 MCAS Grade 8 Civics Pilot Reminders

Grade 8 Civics Assessment Pilot Overview 2022 Grade 8 Civics Pilot Components 1. Local-Level Classroom Performance Task (materials on Moodle) 2. State-Level Performance Task (administered in TestNav) 3. End-of-Course Computer-Based Test (administered in TestNav) 2022 Civics Pilot Performance Task Set Topics Topic 1: Philosophical Foundations of the U.S. Political System Topic 3: Institutions of U.S Government Topic 5: The Constitution, Amendments, and Supreme Court Decisions 6 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Pilot Test Administration Schedule Task Performance Task Set (Local-Level Classroom Performance Task and State- Level Performance Task) End-of-Course Test Dates March 14 April 29 May 23 June 10 7 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Tasks to Complete BEFORE TESTING Task Submit Civics test administrators names/emails to Directory Administration Complete the pre-administration SR/PNP process (for both the State-level Performance Task and the EOC test) Download manuals from Moodle Precache state-level performance task test content (optional; see recommendations on precaching) Dates Submit any additional names/emails by March 21 Extended pre-administration SR/PNP window: State-level Performance Task: Feb. 21 March 11 EOC Test: May 2 20 Available now State-level Performance Task: Available now EOC Test: Available for precaching on May 16 8 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Tasks to Complete AFTER TESTING Task Deadline for updating SR/PNP information, if necessary Deadline for marking students tests complete, if necessary Deadline to complete the PCPA (one PCPA for both the Performance Task Set and the EOC test) Dates Performance Task Set: April 29 EOC Test: June 10 State-Level Performance Task: April 29 EOC Test: June 10 June 13 9 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Test Security for the Civics Pilot Test questions in TestNav for the State-level Performance Task and the End-of- Course test are secure and confidential, and staff must follow same test security protocols as for MCAS testing, including: o Do not read or view any secure test content or student responses (except when administering certain accommodations listed in Appendix C of the PAM). o Do not discuss or in any way reveal the contents of test questions or student responses to test questions before, during, or after test administration. o Do not duplicate any secure test content, including but not limited to videotaping, photographing, typing, or copying by hand. Teachers may discuss the contents and materials of the Local-Level Classroom Performance Task with their classes and with others. These materials are not secure, unlike all other MCAS test materials. 10 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Student Irregularities for the State-Level Performance Task and the EOC Test These student-level irregularities can all be handled locally with school disciplinary procedures (schools do not need to report these to DESE): o cell phone violations o students talking to or writing notes to each other o students providing help or asking for help on test questions o students who test with incorrect accommodations (no disciplinary actions likely needed) Tests for these student-level irregularities should be voided (schools do not need to report these to DESE): o students using notes, books, or external reference material o students copying answers or receiving any assistance answering questions Schools with questions on which category an irregularity falls in should contact DESE for guidance. 11 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

02 Questions and Answers

Frequently Asked Questions When should my school administer the State-Level Performance Task? The State-Level Performance Task should be administered within one week of the Local-Level Classroom Performance Task and must be completed by April 29. Which accommodations are available for the civics pilot? Text-to-speech will be provided on the state-level performance task and the EOC test, but paper-based accommodations will not be available for this pilot. The civics field definitions document (also available on Moodle) shows all the available accessibility features and accommodations for these two sessions. Local classroom accommodations are available for the local-level performance task. Will my school receive student results from the civics pilot? No student, school, or district results will be generated. The Department plans to release an additional set of performance tasks and computer-based questions for instructional purposes in the fall of 2022. 13 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Questions & Answers Use the Q&A feature to ask questions. 14 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

03 Resources, Support, and Next Steps

Additional Resources Resource Moodle portal for Local-Level Classroom Performance Task materials Civics practice test Location mcas.moodlecloud.com http://mcas.pearsonsupport.com/student/practice- tests-hss/ http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/updates.html Student Assessment Update biweekly newsletter with important updates about the MCAS program If you do not already receive this email, subscribe at this link: http://eepurl.com/ghSOhH 16 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Email and Phone Support DESE Office of Student Assessment Services All policy questions (e.g., student participation, accommodations) MCAS Service Center All questions on logistics and technology (e.g., PearsonAccess Next, SR/PNP, TestNav, Moodle) oWeb: mcas.pearsonsupport.com/ oEmail: mcas@cognia.org oPhone: 800-737-5103 oWeb: www.doe.mass.edu/mcas oEmail: mcas@doe.mass.edu oPhone: 781-338-3625 17 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Next Steps Today: Complete the evaluation form. oResponses are associated with the name and email address used to log in. oEmail your input to mcas@doe.mass.edu if you have problems accessing or completing the form. Early next week: oReceive an email with the Q&A from this training session oRecording will be available 18 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

THANK YOU The Office of Student Assessment Services 781-338-3625 www.doe.mass.edu/mcas mcas@doe.mass.edu 75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148