Preparing and submitting high-quality MCAS-Alternative Assessments requires thoughtful planning, strong instructional practices, and a deep understanding of both student needs and state expectations. This engaging and highly practical 4-hour virtual professional development workshop is designed to support educators, specialists, and leadership teams responsible for implementing and overseeing the Massachusetts Alternate Assessment (MCAS-Alt) process.

Participants will gain actionable strategies for organizing evidence, aligning instruction to standards, supporting meaningful student participation, and navigating portfolio requirements with greater confidence and efficiency. Through real-world examples, practical tools, and guided discussion, educators will deepen their understanding of how to create accessible, authentic, and compliant portfolios that accurately represent student learning and growth.

This workshop is especially valuable for substantially separate classroom teachers, special education teachers, related service providers, instructional coaches, and administrators seeking to strengthen systems and practices surrounding MCAS-Alt implementation.

Led by Dianne Pereira-Aldrich, an experienced special education leader with extensive expertise in both creating and assessing DESE Alternative Assessments for students with diverse learning needs, this session combines technical guidance with practical classroom application. Dianne brings years of experience supporting educators in developing meaningful, student-centered assessment practices while maintaining compliance with state requirements.

Participants will explore:

• Best practices for organizing and managing MCAS-Alt portfolios

• Strategies for collecting meaningful and measurable evidence

• Tips for maintaining alignment to standards and student learning goals

• Time-saving tools and systems for documentation and organization

• Approaches for increasing accessibility and student engagement

• Common compliance pitfalls and how to avoid them

• Methods for strengthening collaboration among educators and service providers

Educators responsible for ensuring compliance and meaningful access for students with significant disabilities will leave this session with greater confidence, clearer systems, and practical resources ready for immediate implementation.

Start your school year strong by building the knowledge and systems necessary to support successful MCAS-Alt implementation from the very beginning. District Directors of Student Services are encouraged to consider sending collaborative teams to maximize consistency and impact across programs and schools.

Workshop Details

• Format: Virtual via Zoom

• Length: 4 Hours

• Session Opportunities: Two workshop dates offered for convenience

• PDPs: Participants earn 4 PDPs in Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners

In-District Option Available

Riverside Learning also offers this professional development workshop in-district for groups of 10 or more participants. Customized support and team-based learning opportunities are available to help districts strengthen systems, improve compliance practices, and build staff confidence.

For additional information about in-district professional development opportunities, contact Riverside Learning.