Seekonk School Superintendent Speaks on MCAS

On November 5, Massachusetts voters will be asked whether or not they want to keep MCAS, the standardized test which has been used as a graduation requirement for high school seniors.

Seekonk Public Schools Superintendent Rebecca Kidwell shared her thoughts with the Reporter on the issue and how it would impact the district if it is eliminated.

“MCAS at the high school level fulfills two requirements.  At the federal level, all students are required to be assessed at least once during the high school years in English, Math, and Science,” Kidwell said. “At the state level, students are generally required to pass these assessments in order to earn a high school diploma, through a process called a Competency Determination.”  

“The ballot question at the state level would remove the Competency Determination requirement tied to MCAS, but the federal assessment requirement would still stand,” Kidwell continued. “In both cases, the laws come out of an effort to ensure that students across districts have comparable learning opportunities and meet comparable standards of knowledge and skills before leaving high school.”

Kidwell is uncertain whether or not the MCAS is the test that accurately determines high school seniors’ preparation, knowledge, and readiness for higher education and their careers. 

“The best judgment likely lies with the teachers and school leaders who know these students personally and who see the work they produce and the learning they demonstrate on a daily basis,” Kidwell noted. 

Kidwell believes abolishing the MCAS as a graduation requirement “might lead to some unintended consequences around students' opportunities to take and succeed in challenging courses and post-secondary education.”

“If the test were removed as a graduation requirement, the impact on our curriculum and course offerings would be minimal,” Kidwell added. “We design our curriculum and program of studies to match state standards and the expectations that we see from post-secondary institutions and careers.  We will continue to explore the best ways to make sure Seekonk's graduates are prepared for success regardless of the MCAS as a graduation requirement.”