Assessment/Accountability
MCAS Performance Appeals

Frequently Asked Questions About the MCAS Appeals Process
July 2007

Q. May non-traditional courses be added on the cohort worksheet?
A. Yes, but courses such as Integrated Math or English, Resource Math or English, ESL, and other non-traditional courses must be accompanied by a course description that outlines how the courses address the standards in the grade 10 mathematics and English language arts curriculum frameworks that are covered in the grade 10 MCAS tests in these subjects. No determination will be made on appeals that do not include comprehensive course descriptions that match the titles on the cohort worksheets and/or do not provide adequate information about the course material.

Q. What is the result of an appeal that is submitted with an incomplete application, incomplete academic performance information, or both?
A. No Determination will be made on the appeal.

Q. May course GPAs for high school grades other than grade 10 and grade 11 be used in the cohort worksheet? For instance, if a student takes math only in grades 9 and 11, or in grades 9 and 10 only, or grades 10 and 12 only, may an appeal be submitted.
A. Grade 10 and 11 GPAs must be included in the cohort worksheet. GPAs for grades 9 and 12 may be added at the school's discretion. If GPAs for both grades 10 and 11 are not included in the cohort worksheet, an explanation must be submitted.

Q. If the appeal is denied or if the student is otherwise ineligible and new information becomes available, may another appeal be filed?
A. Yes. Additionally, if appeals were previously denied due to a student's academic performance and there is new academic evidence, such as final senior year course grades, that may improve a student's chances at having the appeal granted, then another appeal may be submitted by the superintendent.

Q. Can appeals still be filed for students in the Class of 2003-2007?
A. Yes, if new information surfaces about a student, then the superintendent is encouraged to file a new appeal.

Q. Who may initiate filing an MCAS performance or portfolio appeal?
A. Anyone - a parent, guardian, and educator - may ask for an appeal to be filed. However, only the superintendent of school is allowed to file an appeal.

Q. Why must a portfolio or a collection of work samples be submitted when less than 6 other students are in a cohort group?
A. With so few students in the comparison group (cohort) there is too little data to make a definite decision to grant or deny the appeal.

Q. Can districts file more than one appeal on behalf of a student?
A. An appeal in both ELA and Mathematics may be filed on behalf of a student. A separate application must be filed for each subject.

Q. May students who participate in the MCAS Alternate Assessment have appeals submitted on their behalf?
A. A student who has participated in the MCAS Alternate Assessment is eligible for a performance appeal if the student has participated in at least 2 MCAS Alternate Assessments.

Q. May we file appeals for transfer students?
A. Yes. If the student transferred into your high school after March of his senior year, please provide as much information as you can (transcripts, standardized test scores, college acceptance letters, teacher recommendations). Students who transferred to your schools in their senior year must participate in all MCAS tests available to them.

Q. What if the course-taking cohort for the students in my school is very small? Will my students be disadvantaged?
A. For students in cohorts of less than 6 other students, portfolios or collections of student work need to be submitted.

Q. If a student does not meet all of the eligibility requirements due to extenuating circumstances, may an appeal still be filed?
A. Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances affecting a student's ability to meet all of the eligibility requirements, superintendents may submit a written justification requesting a waiver of one or more eligibility requirements.

Q. What is an example of extenuating circumstances for purposes of eligibility for the performance appeal?
A. For example, if student meets the eligibility requirements except for the 95% attendance requirement and the student was absent from school due to a long illness, disability, or hardship, the superintendent may submit that information as an extenuating circumstance.

Q. May MCAS performance appeals be submitted for students in other grades or for subjects other than English or mathematics?
A. No, the performance appeal is designed only for students who have not yet achieved the competency determination required for graduation from high school. Therefore, only those students who repeatedly have been unable to achieve the 220 level on the grade 10 MCAS in English or mathematics are eligible to file a performance appeal. Performance appeals are not available for other grade levels or for subjects other than ELA and Mathematics.

Q. How long will it take for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to review the appeal and notify the superintendent of the decision?
A. The MCAS performance appeals board (several public high school educator and a principal) meets on a monthly basis to review appeals filed that month. Once the Performance Appeals Board has made a recommendation, the Commissioner will notify the superintendent of his final decision within 10 business days. Portfolios are reviewed periodically throughout the year. A schedule of portfolio reviews is available on the portfolio web page.