The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is developing an innovative science assessment for grades 5 and 8 that uses a new type of performance task for students. Students engage with meaningful problems through interactive computer simulations to conduct investigations, create and explore models, and solve science or engineering challenges. DESE piloted the assessment with a cohort of schools across MA in Spring of 2021, Spring of 2022, and Spring of 2023. DESE published one pilot performance task per grade, from the first two pilot years, as a Sample Task. Access to the Sample Tasks from the 2021 and 2022 innovative assessment pilot, as well as a practice Demonstration Task per grade, are below.
STE Pilot Assessment Sample Tasks
Please select a grade level to view released items.
- The test platforms have a default login of 'Guest', however, users can choose to enter a name when they begin. This information is not captured or maintained in the system.
STE Pilot Demonstration Tasks
Access resources for educators to prepare students for testing.
Student Work and Scoring Guides
Scoring guides and samples of student work at each score point for the pilot sample task constructed-response items.
Text-to-Speech Guide
This quick reference guide will help familiarize students with the use of the Text-to-Speech accommodation.