NH Company Hired To Help Design Next Generation MCAS

BOSTON (CBS) – The state has found a contractor to help education authorities with a major overhaul of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exam.

Measured Progress of Dover, N.H. has signed a contract with the Commonwealth to help design the so-called Next-Generation MCAS, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced Tuesday.

The company will be responsible for administering and scoring the exam as well.

The initial version of the new MCAS tests for English and Math will be administered in the spring of 2017 to grades 3 through 8. Upgraded tests for grade 10 and the science tests will come at later dates.

The Next-Generation MCAS Exam will be computer based, but it will also have a pencil and paper alternative version. The state hopes to have all assessments delivered on computers by the spring of 2019.

Measured Progress was one of two major testing companies that submitted bids.

The contract is for five years and $150.8 million.

Massachusetts has given the MCAS since 1998. It remains a graduation requirement for high school students.