MCAS testing starts promptly at 7:40 a.m on testing mornings and students will be using their own school issued Chromebooks. Students who arrive late to school may have to take the test at another time during a make up session.
Please make sure your child’s Chromebook is charged nightly and brought to school on MCAS testing days.
If your student is not feeling well on MCAS day, please have them stay home rather than come in and take a test when they are not feeling well. There are ample opportunities for students to make up the test on another day.
MCAS regulations require that teachers ensure that students have no access to electronics of any kind during the testing session. Students will be directed to turn off and put all electronics securely away in backpacks. Alternatively, students may leave personal electronic items, e.g. Apple watch, cell phone, Kindle, at home.
We believe that all Blake students have the right to a calm and peaceful testing environment during MCAS. Please remind your child to bring a non-electronic book ( a real, paper book) to school during the MCAS season as this is the only approved activity that students may do once they have completed their MCAS test. Many times there are other students still finishing in a room where some students are done-- the expectation is that it will remain silent and students will read in order to afford all students a quiet environment.
Please encourage your child to eat a hearty breakfast and bring a snack for after testing has ended. Reusable water bottles are also encouraged.