Reading Comprehension, Grade 3
Grade 3 English Language Arts
Reading Comprehension Test
The spring 2009 grade 3 MCAS English Language Arts Reading Comprehension test was based on learning standards in the two content strands of the Massachusetts English Language Arts Curriculum
Framework (2001) listed below. Specific learning standards for grade 3 are found in the Supplement to the Massachusetts English Language Arts Curriculum Framework (2004). Page numbers for the learning standards appear in parentheses.
■ Language (Framework, pages 19–26; Supplement, pages 6–7)
■ Reading and Literature (Framework, pages 35–64; Supplement, pages 7–9)
The English Language Arts Curriculum Framework and Supplement are available on the Department website at www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/current.html.
In test item analysis reports and on the Subject Area Subscore pages of the MCAS School Reports and
District Reports, ELA Reading Comprehension test results are reported under two MCAS reporting categories: Language and Reading and Literature, which are identical to the two Framework content strands listed above.
Test Sessions and Content Overview
The MCAS grade 3 ELA Reading Comprehension test included three separate test sessions. Each session included reading passages, followed by multiple-choice and open-response questions. Selected common reading passages and approximately half of the common test items are shown on the following pages as they appeared in grade 3 test & answer booklets.
Reference Materials and Tools
The use of bilingual word-to-word dictionaries was allowed for current and former limited English proficient students only, during all three ELA Reading Comprehension test sessions. No other reference materials were allowed during any ELA Reading Comprehension test session.
Cross-Reference Information
The table at the conclusion of this chapter indicates each released item’s reporting category and the