No long comp MCAS for grades 4 and 7 this spring

I just saw this today, though I'm told it was part of DESE's update to districts on November 30: there will be no long composition for grades 4 and 7 this spring.
From that announcement (highlighting added):

• In ELA, one of the PARCC items will require students to write in response to text. The Department suggests that districts familiarize themselves with PARCC items by utilizing PARCC practice tests and released items from the 2015 administration.
• Because of this change for ELA, the Department has decided to eliminate the ELA Composition in grades 4 and 7 in spring 2016. Schools and districts may release these prescribed dates on their calendars. The ELA Composition for grade 10 will continue to be administered.