Assessment/Accountability
MCAS Performance Appeals

August 2008

Dear Parents, High School Students, Educators and Interested Parties:

Welcome to the MCAS Performance Appeals website. Please review all filing information and encourage your faculty members who will be filing appeals this year to be familiar with the updated procedures for filing performance appeals.

This process was established in 2002 by the Massachusetts Board of Education to provide for a way for students to demonstrate, through their course work, that they meet or exceed the English and/or mathematics passing standard of 220 on the grade 10 MCAS tests even though they have repeatedly been unable to pass the tests. Beginning with the class of 2010, students also have to meet or exceed the passing standard of 220 on the grade 10 MCAS tests in Science and Technology/Engineering.

If you believe that your superintendent of schools should file an MCAS performance appeal for a student who was a member of the Class of 2003-2008 or is currently a member of the Class of 2009-2011 who has met the eligibility requirements to file a performance appeal, please speak with the high school principal, teacher or guidance counselor about the eligibility requirements that must be met in order to file an appeal.

Having a high school diploma is critical for success. This process gives eligible students a fair and equitable opportunity to have their schoolwork reviewed so they may receive the competency determination leading to a diploma. While most of the graduates in the classes of 2003-2007 (roughly 301,000 students) met the standard by passing the grade 10 MCAS tests or retests, more than 2,800 students have earned a Competency Determination through the MCAS Performance Appeals process, including approximately 335 students who were granted appeals in both English Language Arts and Mathematics.

I urge superintendents to consider filing or re-filing appeals for current or former students if there is additional academic information such as a student's final grade for the senior year.

I appreciate your effort on behalf of all students who have yet to meet the tenth grade standard.

Sincerely,
Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D.
Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education