The MCAS tests are one of the ways to measure students' academic performance. The MCAS examinations are part of the Education Reform Act of 1993. The State Department of Education developed and the State Board of Education has approved the Curriculum Frameworks. With this common curriculum-content phase completed, we are now in the Education Reform Act's assessment phase. A visit to any classroom will show that teachers already test their students every day in many ways.
Students complete homework assignments, projects, quizzes, term papers, mid-term and final exams.
Teachers grade students on their attendance and participation in class. MCAS exams are another tool which teachers will begin to use in order to asses their students' academic achievement. Underperforming schools or school districts will need to develop and implement action plans. The State Department of Education and State Board have the authority to take over schools and school districts which they find to be chronically underperforming. Different groups of people often favor one MCAS purpose over the others.