The
Massachusetts
Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) is designed to meet the requirements
of the Education Reform Law of 1993. This law specifies that the testing program
must
- test all public school students in Massachusetts, including students with disabilities
and English Language Learner students;
- measure performance based on the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework learning standards;
- report on the performance of individual students, schools, and districts.
As required by the Education Reform Law, students must pass the grade 10 tests in
English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics and
one of the four high school Science
and Technology Engineering tests as one condition of eligibility for a high
school diploma (in addition to fulfilling local requirements).