Assessment/Accountability MCAS
Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

2010 MCAS Assessment Development Committee (ADC) Recruitment

This is a rewarding professional development opportunity for educators who are interested in learning about large-scale, standards-based assessment. Please inform your faculty and colleagues of this opportunity.

Committee Members' Responsibilities

Assessment Development Committee members assist the Department in the review of MCAS reading passages (ELA only), test questions, and scoring rubrics. The charge is to review items for:

• alignment with the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks and MCAS performance standards
• developmental appropriateness
• instructional worthiness
• content accuracy

Committee members are charged with reviewing all test questions prior to field-testing and making suggestions for refinements. After field-testing, committee members review the questions with their field-test performance data. ELA committee members for grades 4, 7, and 10 also review writing prompts and make recommendations regarding their selection for use on MCAS tests.

Membership Structure and Number of Meeting Days

Each ADC consists of approximately 8-12 educators. The membership term runs from January 2010 through December 2010. Committee members are required to attend all scheduled meetings, which run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the school year and the summer. The approximate number of meeting days per committee anticipated for 2010 are shown below:

Upon selection, successful applicants will be sent a calendar of meetings and will be asked to confirm their commitment to attend these meetings. The first meeting of most committees will be in the early part of 2010 at a meeting site to be determined.

Reimbursement of Expenses

The Department will reimburse districts for actual substitute teacher costs up to $125 per day. Committee members are reimbursed for mileage, and lodging is provided to members who live 55 or more miles away from the meeting site. In addition, committee members receive professional development points for their service. For summer meetings only, committee members are awarded a small honorarium, and are not required to live more than 55 miles from the meeting site in order to be provided with lodging.

Application Procedure

Complete applications must include the following three components:

1. Completed application form with Superintendent's signed recommendation
2. Current résumé that includes content expertise, experience, and professional development related to committee members' responsibilities
3. Statement of interest*
   
   The statement (1-2 pages) should describe why the applicant wishes to serve and what particular training and experience will enable the applicant to make a positive contribution as an MCAS ADC member. Please note: Current committee members who wish to reapply are not required to submit a statement of interest.

The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday, November 20, 2009. Notification will be sent by mid-December 2009. Please see the attached application for further instructions. If applicants have any questions, they may contact the following content area lead developers:

• English Language Arts: Liz Davis, 781-338-3628
• Mathematics: Jen Hawkins, 781-338-3615
• Science and Technology/Engineering: Katie Bowler, 781-338-3464
• General questions: Sal Beatini, 781-338-3613

  

Application