Massachusetts Law About MCAS / Education Reform
Massachusetts Laws
- St. 1993, c.71 Education Reform Act
- MGL c.69 Department of Education: Powers and Duties
- MGL c.71 Public Schools, School Districts, School Committees
Massachusetts Regulations
- 603 CMR: Education
Massachusetts Executive Orders
EO 393 Establishes the Educational Management Accountability Board to monitor the attainment of goals of the Education Reform Act.
EO 410 Establishing the Governor's Design Team on Teacher Professional Development and Support
Federal Law
20 USC 6301 et seq. No Child Left Behind Act
Selected Case Law
Hancock v. Driscoll, Commissioner of the Department of Education, 443 Mass. 428 (2005). The plaintiffs alleged that the Commonwealth was violating its constitutional obligation to educate children in poorer communities. The court declined to adopt the conclusion of a Superior Court judge that the Commonwealth was not meeting its obligation under the Massachusetts Constitution.
Massachusetts Federation of Teachers v. Board of Education, 436 Mass. 763 (2002). The court upheld the Board's regulations that require mandatory assessment of math teachers in certain schools.
Other Web Sources
MCAS Overview, Mass. Dept. of Education. Includes information on what is tested, how the results are used, participation requirements for students with disabilities and non-English speaking students and more.
MCAS Results, Mass. Dept. of Education.
Print Sources
MCAS and Students with Disabilities, MCLE, 2001.
The New Title I: The Changing Landscape of Accountability, Thomson, 2003.
School Law Conference 2007, MCLE 2007. Section 7: Seven issues about the MCAS, IDEA NCLB, graduation, and accommodations.
School Law Conference 2009, MCLE, 2009. Section1: Dismissal of teachers under the Education Reform Act- a sixteen year history.
School Law in Massachusetts, MCLE, loose-leaf, chapters 3 and 9.
"When Good Intentions Go Bad: The MCAS Graduation Requirement and Special Education Children," by James M. Baron, 40 Suffolk U. L. Rev. 123 (2006). Also available online to library card holders through Hein Online.
Government Agencies
Massachusetts Department of Education
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148
781-338-3000
This web site provides information on standards, reform initiatives, education reform law and related reports.
United States Department of Education400 Maryland Ave. SW
Washington D.C. 20202
1-800-872-5327 general inquiries
1-888-814-6252 No Child Left Behind questions
The policy section on their web site provides links to legislation and regulations.