Keep the MCAS: vote ‘no’ on Question 2
The MCAS, or Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, is the primary method by which the state of Massachusetts can test the aptitude of students in high school, and passing it is currently a graduation requirement in Massachusetts.
However, a ballot question put to voters this fall (Question 2) seeks to keep the test while eliminating the graduation requirement.
Voting no on Question 2 and keeping this graduation requirement this year is essential to shaping students to become beneficial members of our community.
Some proponents of removing the MCAS from being a graduation requirement say that it does not predict whether a student can carve out a path for themself and also limits teacher freedom and creativity, but I believe they are wrong.
The English section tests basic English skills, something which is needed to thrive in a culture such as America where English is the Lingua Franca. Meanwhile, the math section tests not only math skills but also problem-solving ability, being the state’s best tool to gauge this.
The MCAS is not a test that is designed to be hard, and there are also multiple chances to pass the MCAS, once in 10th grade, and two more in 11th and 12th. If a student fails, there are free resources available online and in the library. Anyone who fails is also allowed a secondary way to show competency. For example, there is a math portfolio students can complete in lieu of passing the test.
A big problem many students and educators alike have with the MCAS is that it is unfair for students coming from marginalized and disadvantaged backgrounds. Students coming from underfunded schools also struggle more with the MCAS than their wealthier peers. But the MCAS is not the problem here; instead, it is the solution. The failure rates by school should inform the state where to send its money, investing in schools with higher failure rates.
One issue with removing the MCAS is that it would limit the oversight of the state in education. Massachusetts has ranked highly in education for decades and removing standardized testing as a graduation requirement will likely move the state down in its rankings.
Public schools around the state may slip through the cracks by relaxing standards and letting students down academically, as the pressure for both the students and schools to succeed would be lifted. A decent high school education, while not essential for some students, equips most with the toolkit they need to find their own path. Students who graduate high school make at least $10,000 more annually than those who don’t graduate high school, on average. If a high school education is worth less than it used to be, then this number would shrink drastically.
The MCAS is not the end-all be-all. There is always room for improvement. But removing the MCAS as a graduation requirement is not the answer to alleviating wealth disparities. Instead, the MCAS should be changed by the Board of Education to ensure that it is equitable for all before removing it entirely. We must ensure that everyone gets both a good and an equal education.
