The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted eight to three this morning to adopt a hybrid MCAS-PARCC test, to be administered in spring of 2017.

The past year Vineyard students in grades three through eight took the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) test as a pilot in preparation for the proposed switch from the MCAS test, which had been administered annually since 1998. However, due to the controversies around the country over the PARCC test, which is aligned with the Common Core educational standards, and worries over losing state control to a consortium which oversees the PARCC testing, the decision to switch tests was recently called into question.

The new test, referred to as MCAS 2.0, will be the first overhaul of the standardized tests in nearly two decades. It will incorporate the online element of the PARCC test but retain control of decision making to the state.

Last week, Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, Mitchell D. Chester, recommended adopting MCAS 2.0, saying the current MCAS was outdated and the PARCC gave too much control to the consortium.

“I am grateful to the Board for their thoughtful review of my recommendation and of all of the input and materials they received,” Commissioner Chester said in a statement after the vote today. “Their vote paves the way to a next-generation assessment that will be a better reflection of student achievement and, at the high school level, of readiness for college and a career.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew D’Andrea described the MCAS 2.0 as a Massachusetts version of the PARCC.

Island students in grades three through eight will take the PARCC test this spring, and schools around the state that took the MCAS test last year will take the MCAS test. High school sophomores will take the MCAS this year as a graduation requirement.

Mr. D’Andrea said he is in favor of the outcome.

“I think the MCAS has really served the state well...it’s time that it’s online,” said Mr. D’Andrea. “Certainly there will be challenges and areas that need to improve, but that was the case with the MCAS when it came out.”

Schools will not be held accountable for the test results for the coming year and the first year MCAS 2.0 is administered. This means their status cannot be downgraded due to poor test results during this interim period.

Mr. D’Andrea said he is confident the board will work with schools to make sure the new test is effective.