Board of Ed: determinations for classes of 2021 and 2022

aka high school MCAS revisions 
Wulfson: now turning towards next generation high school test
field testing questions this spring
administering test for first time in spring 2019
first class taking with be class of 2021; they are freshmen this year
competency determination cut scores
standard setting groups in grades 3-8; not high stakes decisions
high school is a high stakes test for students
an extended discussion having over next years
and engaging with stakeholder groups
because it is a high stakes test, both fairness and due process requires giving notice of change in standards
propose that first two classes be held harmless with any raising of the bar
would set passing score at a level commensurate with a score of passing the current MCAS test
will require amendment to Board regs on competency determination
expect to be brought forward with language at November Board meeting
ninth graders are getting their eighth grade scores now; a lot of students falling into partially meeting expectations category
"We don't want them freaking out and saying, 'oh my God, you've changed the rules on me and I won't pass my high school competency determination'"
"not raising the bar on them"
passing will still be in 80 or 90 range of previous years
not asking for a vote now but "would urge anyone who takes exception to that to signal that now"
"it'd be even better if somebody said that they think it's a great idea"
West: supportive of idea "what assumptions we're making about our ability to do that" (cross-referencing)
Stapel: meeting of technical advisory committee this week
essentially be doing it in two ways: percentile linking
will also be investigation how to qualitatively do that during the standards setting process
Morton: thinks it a great idea
speaks to Ed's point: gives us a chance to try the test
"where we get a chance to learn from our past experiences" moving forward
Trimarchi: several mentions of updating language
Stapel: current language is associated with current assessment
changes would update those to reflect decisions we're making
Moriarty: makes sense, continuity
"this is transitional, goal in these assessments is to better align and better support a high school diploma as a genuine" signal of college and career readiness
Wulfson: will signal to class of 2023 and beyond: Board does plan to raise the bar