Voters Approve Elimination of MCAS

Last Tuesday, Massachusetts voters approved the elimination of MCAS as a high school graduation requirement.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) said 99 percent of students pass the exam. If they don't pass, they can take it up to five times. There's an appeals process and there are alternative tests.

Local school superintendents shared their reactions to the vote with the Reporter.

“Unless the State legislature takes a different approach, starting with the Class of 2025, Massachusetts public high school students will need only to fulfill local requirements to receive their diploma,” Dighton-Rehoboth Regional Schools Superintendent Bill Runey said. “I am awaiting further direction from the State on how this change will be put into practice.”

“I understand there are diverse opinions on Question 2 and the MCAS exams,” Runey continued. “It is my understanding that the approval of Question 2 does not alter or lessen the role of MCAS in the State’s accountability system. I opposed Question 2 because it lacks an immediate alternative to MCAS as a statewide graduation standard. Maintaining high standards for all Massachusetts students is essential, and despite its flaws, MCAS is better than having no statewide benchmark. I am, however, in alignment with the supporters of Question 2 in the sense that I do believe that MCAS is antiquated.” 

Runey noted that prior to the election, the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS) sent a letter to State elected and education officials, “reiterating the longstanding view that the Commonwealth should move beyond using MCAS as the only measure of student achievement. In the letter, MASS called for a public process to create a broader set of graduation standards for the state—regardless of the result of Question 2—starting right after Election Day.”

“We are currently following the attached guidance from the state, as we await their determination about what this vote means,” said Seekonk Public Schools Superintendent Rebecca Kidwell. “We want to be sure we provide all students with the best chance to earn scholarships and other post-secondary opportunities that are still tied to MCAS scores, at least for the time being.  We will be attentive to future guidance from the DESE and any future acts from the Legislature to ensure that Seekonk's students meet the requirements for a high school diploma.”

 “In the lead up to November 5, many state leaders on both sides of the issue declared their support for revisiting statewide graduation requirements,” Runey added. “I sincerely hope that they honor those commitments. I would welcome the opportunity to work with other educators, school committee members, and community stakeholders to develop new rigorous graduation requirements without solely depending on standardized tests.”