MCAS Important Dates
MCAS Biology - February 2-3, 2009MCAS ELA Retest - March 2 - 4, 2009
MCAS Math Retest - March 5 - 6, 2009
MCAS ELA (Composition and Reading Comprehension) - April 1-2, 2009
MCAS ELA Composition Make-Up - April 7, 2009
MCAS Mathematics - May 19- 20, 2009
MCAS US History - May 21 - 28, 2009 (only 2 days; TBA specifically as time draws closer)
MCAS Facts and Information
The MCAS exams (10th grade and Retest) are right around the corner—beginning in March. Is your child prepared? I am sure all of you know by now, that passing the MCAS Mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA) is mandatory in order to graduate from any Massachusetts public high school. But did you know that the class of 2010 must also pass one science subject as well? Students who are graduating in 2010 or beyond must pass either, Physics, Biology or Chemistry MCAS exams in order to graduate. Needless to say, students need to take these assessments very seriously. While the MCAS is not a measure of students’ intelligence, it does determine what kind of future a child will have.
Please, please, please encourage your child to attend MCAS prep classes after school. Also encourage your child to take his/her science classes very seriously. MCAS Preparation classes for math are held after school on Mondays and Wednesdays. MCAS Preparation classes for ELA are held after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Science teachers are also after school each day to help support students in their understanding of science concepts. The passing rate of students who take advantage of MCAS Preparation classes is over 95%. We, at the Urban Science Academy, understand that the key to doing well on the MCAS is actually preparing well for the MCAS.
The best way to prepare for the MCAS exam is to practice taking the test, which is much of what happens during MCAS preparation classes. Most students can be trained to do well on the MCAS regardless of his of her level of ability on a particular subject. Students who do well are students who put the energy into doing well. Also students who do well in their core classes (humanities, math, science) tend to do well on the MCAS as well.
A few ways you can support your child’s success on the MCAS:
- Please be certain that your child is doing homework routinely.
- Contact teachers if you feel that your child is not being challenged.
- Ask your child for the bi-weekly progress reports that he/she gets from teachers
- Call or email teachers if you feel like you are out of the loop with your child’s education.