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ERIC Number: ED662534
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 198
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-3841-4051-1
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Searching for Accessibility: An Action Research Study Regarding MCAS Testing for Students with Disabilities
Susan B. Pellegrino
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Northeastern University
In this state, one constant that students with disabilities have experienced has been the lack of accessibility to the high-stakes standardized test, the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS). The purpose of this Action Research study was to investigate and improve the access, to MCAS testing for students with disabilities in Massachusetts public schools resulting in a disproportionate number of low scores for students with disabilities across the state. Data collected in Cycle 1 consisted of responses from 11 middle school special educators in semi-structured interviews. Action steps including meeting with the special educators, interviewing members of grassroots organizations for their diverse perspectives of MCAS testing, and having special educators complete a survey indicating their degree of agreement to statements about MCAS testing. These steps were designed, implemented, and evaluated in Cycle 2 to provide input to the policy memo for an accessible assessment of what all students know and can do. The study concluded that accountability was the primary purpose of MCAS testing, state control was the reason MCAS testing was not differentiated, and writing a policy memo to the Massachusetts State Legislature Co-Chairs of the Joint Committee on Education increased the state legislature's awareness of the need for an alternative to MCAS testing. Implications for the organization included educating state legislators about the negative effects of the current form of MCAS testing and further exploring ongoing initiatives toward an alternative form of MCAS testing. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A