By Beth Treffeisen The voters have spoken. Massachusetts no longer requires students to pass the standardized MCAS exams to graduate high school. However, questions are still circulating on what statewide standards, if any, students will now face to graduate.
State Sen. Jason Lewis, who represents the 5th Middlesex District, has stated that he intends to file legislation in January to implement “an alternative, non-test-based, consistent and rigorous statewide graduation standard.” The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) will continue in public schools , as required by state and federal regulations, to provide data on student learning progress.
Lewis said the test is “imperfect” and “cannot measure the full scope of skills, knowledge, and competencies” needed for students to be successful. He noted that the standardized tests also pose challenges for students with disabilities and non-native English speakers. Since the measure goes into effect immediately, the class of 2025 will not need to pass the MCAS to graduate this spring.
If legislation doesn’t immediately pass, there may not be a statewide graduation standard. Instead, graduating high schoolers would need to complete coursework standards set by their district in English, mathematics, science and technology, and any other areas determined by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. The legislation Lewis plans to file would require all students, with certain exceptions, to co.
