BPS Assessments Homepage

IMPORTANT! Submit Your School Test Coordinator (STC) Contact by Sept. 12: Each school must designate a School Test Coordinator (STC) for SY25-26. The STC serves as the primary point of contact for all state & district-mandated assessments. Please complete this form by 9/12. Posted: 09/05/25
NEW ODA Assessment Team Email: For general questions about the BPS Assessment Memo, calendar, or policies not tied to a specific assessment, please use the new email: oda-assessments@bostonpublicschools.org For all specific assessment-related questions, please continue using the dedicated assessment email addresses (see below!). Posted: 09/05/25
The SY25-26 Assessment Calendar and Assessment Memo, which includes all BPS testing information and expectations for SY25-26, are now available. Please review the key changes to the district assessment strategy, including: curriculum-based assessment focus, LAS Links for SDD 1 ELs, revised Winter MAP window, and transition away from Illuminate. Posted: 07/11/25

Mission & Vision Statements

Mission🎯

Support the BPS community with establishing and implementing a comprehensive assessment strategy with high-quality, standards-aligned assessments that promote learning and equity for all students.

Vision💡

Cultivate a district-wide culture that consistently engages with assessment data, prioritizing assessment 'for' and 'of' learning and keeping it at the center of the instructional decisions. Through this commitment for assessment 'for' and 'of' learning, we aim for appropriate support and multiple opportunities for our students' continuous growth.

Team Member Roles & Focus Areas

Ileana Gruia

Director of Assessment Systems and Strategy

Karyn Hall Redcross

Assessment Manager

Donna Le

Assessment Manager

Vacant

Assessment Manager

Provide oversight, management, support, training, and facilitation for the day-to-day requirements of the state and local student assessments : ACCESS, MCAS, MAP, LAS Links, and any other district or state assessment as assigned
Maintain and improve assessment administration, professional learning, and support to schools for all assessments
Use assessment data and user feedback to inform and support the district assessment strategy
Support school leaders and teacher teams to drive academic performance through the use of assessments to support the district’s instructional approach that meets the needs of every student

BPS Balanced Assessment System

We believe data and assessment is an integral part of student instruction and we support a balanced, anti-racist, comprehensive assessment system. The district assessment system includes different types of assessments that are responsive to the needs of our diverse learners and provides frequent opportunities for students to demonstrate understanding in their own way and monitor their growth as learners, and includes different types of assessments, such as screeners, diagnostics, formatives, interims and summative assessments. Each of these has a specific purpose and intended use, and multiple measures allow educators to make informed, culturally-responsive instructional decisions.

Formative Assessments

Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) - Universal screening assessments measure early literacy, reading comprehension, and mathematics skills.
LAS Links - District formative assessment of English Language Proficiency for Multilingual Learners (ML), which measures English language development and proficiency. More information coming soon.

Summative Assessments

Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS): Required State Assessment of Grade-level Content Standards in English Language Arts, math and science.
WIDA ACCESS: Required State Assessment of English Language Proficiency for students identified as English Learners (ELs). It measures English language development and proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP): National Assessment of student achievement in reading, math, and science. It is administered every other school year to a sample of students in grades 4, 8, and 12.

Other Assessments

SAT School Day & PSAT/NMSQT: These digital assessments measure reading, math problem-solving, and writing skills. SAT scores can be used to apply to colleges/universities. Both SAT and PSAT/NMSQT scores can help students qualify for scholarships. Schools must offer SAT School Day and PSAT/NMSQT, but students are not required to participate.

Data Dashboards

The Lighthouse: BPS Data Hub is available to BPS email users and features existing district-wide dashboards plus new District Snapshot, Schools & Enrollment, and Attendance & Absenteeism dashboards.

Contact Information

📞 BPS Assessment Hotline: 617-635-8066
Use this number for all assessments listed below.

ACCESS: access@bostonpublicschools.org
MCAS: mcas@bostonpublicschools.org
MAP Growth & Fluency: formatives@bostonpublicschools.org
LAS Links: elformatives@bostonpublicschools.org

➡️ For assessments not listed above, contact the BPS Assessment Hotline or email oda-assessments@bostonpublicschools.org.

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