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updated 7/2/09 ... sam

Maine’s Comprehensive Assessment System (MeCAS)

2009-2010 Maine Comprehensive Assessment System Test Dates - PDF

MeCAS Introduction

When the Maine State Legislature adopted the Learning Results in 1996, it established learning standards for all Maine students educated at public expense.  The legislation also required that a new system for assessing student progress be established. This assessment system has several components.  The State components include the Maine Educational Assessment that is given to students in grades 3-8.  Individual student scores are reported in reading and mathematics for all students in grades 3-8, with additional student scores in writing reported at 5 and 8 and science reported at 4 and 8.  Another State component is the Maine High School Assessment that is given to students in grade 11.  Individual student scores are reported for critical reading, mathematics, writing and science.  Local assessment will include a variety of assessments.

The Comprehensive Assessment System is designed to serve three purposes:

  • inform and guide teaching and learning;
  • monitor and hold educational units accountable in achieving the Learning Results; and
  • certify achievement of Maine’s Learning Results.

 

  MEA NAEP NECAP PAAP PSAT MHSA (SAT)   ACCESS for ELLs®

                                              

Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) - The Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) is aligned designed to measure student and school progress in achieving the high academic standards set forth in the accountability standards of Maine’s Learning Results at grades 3-8.

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) - Since 1969, the mission of National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) has been to collect, analyze, and produce valid and reliable information about the academic performance of students in the United States in various learning areas.  In 1990, the mission of NAEP was expanded to provide state-by-state results on academic achievement.  The No Child Left Behind Act directs all schools receiving Title I funds to participate in NAEP assessments as needed.

NECAP

Personalized Alternate Assessment Portfolio (PAAP) - The Maine Learning Results are the standards which identify what ALL Maine students, including those with unique learning needs, are expected to know and be able to do at the end of each of four grade spans: pre-k-2; grades 3-4; grades 5-8 and grades 9-12. 
Maine's assessment system, aligned with the accountability standards of Maine's Learning Results, allows students to participate through three avenues: standard administration, administration with accommodations, and alternate assessment.
The alternate to the State's assessments: the Maine Educational Assessment (MEA), the PSAT, and the SAT, is the Personalized Alternate Assessment Portfolio (PAAP). The PAAP is fully implemented, including achievement and accountability reporting.

PSAT - All schools are required to administer the PSAT/NMSQT to all 10th and 11th grade students on October 14, 2009.  Students may participate through standard administration, administration with accommodations, or through the Personalized Alternate Assessment Portfolio (PAAP).  The test will be administered on Wednesday, a regular school day, and thus avoids conflicts with extracurricular events.

Maine High School Assessment (MHSA: SAT, Math-A and Science)

ACCESS for ELLs® - Administration Information for the Assessing Comprehension and Communications in English State to State for English Language Learners (ACCESS for ELLs®)

Pursuant to the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, schools are required to annually assess the English language proficiency of their English language learners (ELLs).
The ACCESS for ELLs® is an English language proficiency test administered annually in Maine to all English language learners (ELLs) in kindergarten through grade 12 who have been identified as being limited English proficient (federally referred to as limited English proficient (LEP) students).  The ACCESS for ELLs® meets the federal requirements of assessing ELLs’ proficiency levels in the domains of speaking, listening, comprehension, reading, and writing. The ACCESS for ELLs® provides reliable, valid, and useful information on the proficiency levels and progress of ELLs in acquiring academic English.  The ACCESS for ELLs® English language proficiency standards are aligned to Maine’s Learning Results academic content standards.