SURVEY ON MCAS TEST FOR HISTORY AND THE SOCIAL SCIENCES IN ALL GRADES

One of our members, Kevin O’Reilly from Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School, has put together this survey on the MCAS test in History and the Social Science. Many of us are concerned about the value and the direction that the test will have on our teaching and most importantly on achieving a valid assessment of student understanding.

The Board of MCSS supports the state’s move toward MCAS accountability in our discipline. We certainly believe that the members of MCSS and all teachers of history and social studies should have their personal voices heard. Therefore, we ask you to take a minute and fill out this survey. At this time, the survey applies only to the high school test, although you may indicate your point of view related to the other two tests as well.

If you are not a high school teacher we want your input so answer all the questions that apply and make additional comments at the bottom.

Please make copies to give to other teachers in your department even though they are not MCSS members.

Please return your responses to Janna Bremer, Executive Secretary for MCSS, at 87 North St., Foxborough, MA 02035-1308 or bremerj@comcast.net by Feb. 1.

1 = Strongly agree 2 = Agree 3 = Neutral 4 = Disagree 5 = Strongly disagree

A. The test should be all multiple choice. _______

B. Multiple choice questions should count for half of the test. ______

C. There should be no multiple choice questions on the test. ______

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D. Essay questions (open response) should make up the whole test. ______

E. Essay questions (open response) should count for half of the test. ______

F. Students should be required to answer all four open response questions. ____

G. There should be a choice of writing on two out of four open response questions. ______

H. There should be an open response question that requires students to analyze a document. ______

I. There should be an open response question that requires a persuasive essay on a current issue. _____

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J. The present test will improve my teaching. _____

K. The present test improves the quality of social studies education in Massachusetts. _____

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L. The focus of the test on U.S. History is correct. ______

M. There should be more focus on civics and economics. _____

N. There should be more focus on geography and world history. _____

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: