State to postpone spring MCAS testing for grades 3-8

A DESE spokesperson confirmed Friday that the spring MCAS testing for grades 3-8 will be postponed to later in the school year.

In an email sent out to Mass. school superintendents, DESE Student Assessment Services listed May 10-June 11 as the tentative dates for grades 3, 4, and 5 ELA, Mathematics and STE. Tentative dates for grades 6, 7 and 8 are to be determined.

“The department wants kids to be back in school in person in a regular routine before they are assessed,” said a DESE spokesperson. “The test is necessary to gauge learning loss this past year.”

The announcement comes shortly before the DESE is set to meet and vote on a plan to give Commissioner Riley the emergency authority to determine when to step away from hybrid and remote learning.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Cox Media Group