American Federation of Teachers - A Union of Professionals

Skip directly to:

AFT - A Union of ProfessionalsTeachersHigher EducationPSRPPublic EmployeesHealthcareRetireesEarly Childhood Educators

Home > Hot Topics > Standards-Based Reform >

State-by-State Analysis: Massachusetts

    Print 


Elementary

Middle

High School

Elementary

Middle

High School

Standards
The table below indicates the content the AFT looks for when reviewing English, math, science, and social studies standards. Standards that are clear and specific at the elementary, middle, and high school levels are shaded as indicated in the legend above. Standards that do not meet our criteria remain clear or "empty." Refer to the Content Standards link at the right to read our complete criteria for evaluating standards.

English

Reading Basics

Reading Comprehension

Writing Conventions

Writing Forms

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Math

Number Sense

Measurement

Geometry

Algebra

Data Analysis

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Science

Earth Science

Physical Science

Life Science

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Social Studies

Civics

U.S. History

World History

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Updated 8/2004 

Curriculum & Instruction
The table below identifies the components of a standards-based curriculum. If the components are present the appropriate levels—elementary, middle, and high school—are shaded as indicated in the legend above. If the components are missing, than the graphic remains clear or "empty." Refer to the Curriculum & Instruction link at the right to read our complete criteria for evaluating standards-based curriculum materials.

 

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

Learning Continuum

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Instructional Resources

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

Elementary, Middle and High

Instructional Strategies

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Performance Indicators

Performance descriptors

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

None

Rubrics / scoring guides

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Middle and High School

Sample student work

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Middle and High School

Commentary on student work

None

None

None

None

Lesson Plans

Specifies standards addressed

None

None

None

None

Specifies prior knowledge needed

None

None

None

None

Integrates two or more standards

None

None

None

None

Indicates necessary materials

None

None

None

None

Includes classroom assessments

None

None

None

None

Indicates length of time needed

None

None

None

None

Includes sample student work and rubrics

None

None

None

None

Provides instructional guidance

None

None

None

None

Includes instructional strategies for diverse learners

None

None

None

None

Updated 11/2001

Assessing Student Performance
The table below indicates the features of an "open" or transparent assessment system that is based on the content standards. If the features are present the appropriate levels—elementary, middle, and high school—are shaded as indicated in the legend above. If the features are missing, than the graphic remains clear or "empty." Refer to the Assessing Student Performance link at the right to read our complete criteria for evaluating open and aligned testing systems.

 

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

Grades assessed

3, 4, 7, 10

4, 6, 8, 10

5, 8

 

Alignment report available

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary and Middle

None

State indicates standards tested

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

State indicates number of items per standard

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

Test or sample items released

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary and Middle

None

Released items indicate standard tested

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary and Middle

None

State provides grade-specific performance level descriptors

None

None

None

None

State provides rubrics

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary and Middle

None

State releases scored student work

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary and Middle

None

Released student work includes scorer commentary

None

None

None

None

Updated 4/2004

Accountability
The table below indicates the elements of a student accountability policy. If the elements are present, the appropriate levels—elementary, middle, and high school—are shaded as indicated in the legend above. If the elements are missing, than the graphic remains clear or "empty." Refer to the Accountability link at the right to read our complete criteria for evaluating student accountability policies.

 

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

State requires academic intervention for struggling students

State funds academic intervention for struggling students

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Promotion from grade to grade in elementary or middle school and/or graduation from high school is based, in part, on state test results

High School

High School

Students can earn awards for meeting higher standards

High School

High School

High School

High School

Updated 11/2001

 

 


Documents Reviewed

3rd Grade Reading Test, 2003 (assessments)

4th, 6th, 8th, and 10th Grade Math Tests, 2003 (assessments)

4th, 7th, and 10th Grade ELA Tests, 2003 (assessments)

5th and 8th Grade Science Tests, 2003 (assessments)

1999 MCAS Sample Student Work: Grade 10 History and Social Science, 2000 (curriculum)

1999 MCAS Sample Student Work: Grade 10 Science & Technology, 2000 (curriculum)

1999 MCAS Sample Student Work: Grade 8 History and Social Sciences, 2000 (curriculum)

1999 MCAS Sample Student Work: Grade 8 Science and Technology, 2000 (curriculum)

1999 MCAS Sample Student Work: Grade 8 English Language Arts Composition, 2000 (curriculum)

1999 MCAS Student Work: Grade 10 English Language Arts, 2000 (curriculum)

1999 MCAS Student Work: Grades 8 and 10 Mathematics, 2000 (curriculum)

2000 MCAS Composition Writing Prompts, 2000 (curriculum)

2003 MCAS Sample Student Work and Scoring Guides, 2003 (assessments)

13,500 Massachusetts Juniors and Seniors are Eligible for Certificate of Mastery, 2001 (accountability)

English Alignment Report, 2001 (assessments)

History and Social Science Curriculum Framework, 1997 (curriculum)

History and Social Science Curriculum Framework, 2003 (standards)

Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, 2000 MCAS Sample Student Work and Scoring Guides, 2001 (curriculum)

Massachusetts Early Literacy Intervention Program (accountability)

Massachusetts English Language Arts Curriculum Framework (standards, curriculum)

Massachusetts History & Social Science guide for Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 4: A Model Scope and Sequence and Sample Resources, 2000 (curriculum)

Massachusetts Mathematics Curriculum Framework (standards, curriculum)

Math Alignment Report, 2001 (assessments)

MCAS Performance Level Definitions (curriculum, assessments)

MCAS Performance Levels: Sample Student Responses, 1998 (curriculum)

MCAS: Overview—Frequently Asked Questions, 2001 (assessments, accountability)

Science Alignment Report, 2001 (assessments)

Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework (standards, curriculum)

 

people picture
American Federation of Teachers | 555 New Jersey Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20001

© American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO. All rights reserved. | Disclaimer
Photographs and illustrations, as well as text, cannot be used without permission from the AFT.