Measured Progress and Massachusetts Extend Successful Partnership

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) has again awarded Measured Progress the contract for the Massachusetts English Proficiency Assessment (MEPA). The MEPA measures English proficiency achieved by limited English proficient (LEP) students over time. The new contract calls for Measured Progress to develop and implement the program from the current year through 2012. 

Measured Progress has worked since 2003 on MEPA, which assesses students in grades three through twelve in reading and writing, and kindergarten through grade twelve in speaking and listening. Measured Progress and the ESE are developing new reading and writing tests for kindergarten through grade two, along with new reading and writing tests for LEP students in grades three through twelve, which will be administered for the first time in spring 2009. 

Under the terms of the new contract, Measured Progress and the ESE will collaborate on transitioning to online reading and writing tests using Measured Progress’s proprietary iTest system. A next-generation, browser-based system, iTest is beneficial in many ways: students gain access to assistive technology tools and an intuitive testing platform; teachers and administrators have the benefit of streamlined test delivery and administration flexibility; and all stakeholders experience rapid turnaround of results, a first-rate reporting system, a reduction in paper handling, and Measured Progress’s consistent commitment to excellence.

Massachusetts will transition gradually to online testing for a portion of LEP students in grades three through twelve, beginning with the spring 2009 MEPA reading and writing tests. The ESE will invite schools to participate in online MEPA testing on a voluntary basis, and plans to meet the following minimum participation goals each year of the new contract:

• 20 percent of LEP students participating in 2009
• 40 percent of LEP students participating in 2010
• 60 percent of LEP students participating in 2011 and 2012

“The Department will provide considerable support and staff training to schools with LEP enrollment to make this transition possible,” said Acting Commissioner Jeffrey Nellhaus. “The MEPA online testing initiative will also make it possible to transition thoughtfully to an online testing program for all students in the future.” 

To ensure that Massachusetts children of all language backgrounds are tested with items that meet the academic rigor of the Massachusetts English Language Proficiency Benchmarks and Outcomes, Measured Progress and the ESE have subcontracted with WestEd of San Francisco, California, a non-profit research, development, and service agency. WestEd will contribute its expertise and technical assistance in the area of English language learner assessment. 

Measured Progress is pleased to continue its positive relationship with the ESE and to enhance this high-quality testing program. “We are proud to work with a state that consistently shows such commitment to an excellent education for all students,” said Stuart Kahl, president and co-founder of Measured Progress. “Through MEPA, we share with the ESE the determination to deliver a test that will help LEP students at all levels of English proficiency to succeed.”