State takes top role in developing multistate test

BOSTON (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - A consortium of states led by Massachusetts and Florida has received a $170 million federal grant to design a national standardized school testing system, a decision that could mean the demise of the MCAS.

Mitchell Chester, the state commissioner of elementary and secondary education, was elected chairman of the consortium, the Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers. It includes 25 states and Washington, D.C.

The new test, like the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, would assess students in grades 3 through 8 and 10, but would add grades 9 and 11. It would be given largely on computers and could require projects and research papers.

Chester, and state Education Secretary Paul Reville, told The Boston Globe they would not endorse the new system unless it is tougher than the MCAS.