STANDARDIZED TESTING
MASSACHUSETTS TEACHERS SAYS LET DEMOCRACY DECIDE
In a world where standardized testing reigns supreme, one state is daring to say "enough is enough." That's right, folks, Massachusetts teachers are standing up and saying, "let democracy decide!" And by democracy, they mean the people taking a look at the cost and total uselessness of the standardized test that students are forced to take to graduate. Because let's face it, the privatizers always want more profitable data on your kid.
But what is this test that has teachers up in arms? It's called the MCAS, or Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System. And let me tell you, it's about as comprehensive as a one-ply toilet paper. Students in grades 3-10 are required to take this test every year in subjects such as English language arts, mathematics, science, and technology/engineering. And if that wasn't bad enough, high school students must pass the MCAS exams in grade 10 English, math, and one of the four science and technology/engineering tests in order to graduate. Talk about pressure!
But some critics of the MCAS graduation requirement argue that it's unfair, ineffective, and harmful to students. And honestly, they're not wrong. The MCAS test narrows the curriculum, reduces student engagement, increases dropout rates, and widens achievement gaps. It's like the opposite of a magic wand. More like a magic wand that turns everything to crap.
So what's the solution? A group of petitioners filed a draft ballot initiative to suspend the MCAS graduation requirement starting from the 2024-2025 school year. Instead, they propose using students' completion of and mastery of high school coursework based on academic standards and other benchmarks to judge their competency to graduate. It's like a breath of fresh air in a stuffy classroom.
And the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) is on board. They voted unanimously to back the ballot question and are committed to fixing the "over-reliance on high stakes testing." Because let's be real, teachers don't want to spend their days teaching to the test. They want to inspire and engage their students in meaningful ways. And that's hard to do when you're constantly worried about a standardized test.
But not everyone is on board with this plan. The Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education credits the MCAS and its graduation requirement with making Massachusetts schools "first-in-the-nation" and enhancing the state's economic competitiveness. But honestly, who cares about economic competitiveness when you're sacrificing the well-being of your students?
So what's next? The petitioners have until November of this year to gather about 75,000 signatures from registered voters to qualify for the 2024 ballot. And according to an MTA-backed poll conducted in early June, 73% of 800 registered voters said they supported ending the MCAS graduation requirement. So it looks like there's hope for change yet.
In conclusion, let's give a round of applause to Massachusetts teachers for standing up for what's right. Let's say goodbye to the MCAS graduation requirement and hello to a brighter future for our students. And who knows, maybe one day we'll live in a world where standardized testing is a thing of the past. A girl can dream, can't she?
Massachusetts Teachers Association supports dropping MCAS as graduation requirement https://www.wcvb.com/article/massachusetts-teachers-association-supports-dropping-mcas-as-graduation-requirement/44749581#
Massachusetts teachers union supports ballot question to end MCAS graduation requirement - CBS Boston https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/ballot-question-ending-mcas-graduation-requirement-massachusetts-teachers-association/
Massachusetts Teachers Association to launch ballot ... https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/08/06/metro/massachusetts-teachers-association-launch-ballot-campaign-aimed-ending-mcas-graduation-requirement/
THE DEFT DIVE
FROM BARD AI
The Massachusetts ballot question to end the MCAS graduation requirement:
* **What is the ballot question?**
The ballot question, which will be on the ballot in November 2024, would amend the Massachusetts Constitution to eliminate the requirement that students pass the MCAS exams in English language arts, math, and science in order to graduate from high school.
* **Who is supporting the ballot question?**
The ballot question is being supported by a coalition of groups, including the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the Massachusetts Parent Teacher Association, and the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus. These groups argue that the MCAS is a flawed test that does not accurately measure student learning and that it has a negative impact on students, teachers, and schools.
* **Who is opposing the ballot question?**
The ballot question is being opposed by a coalition of groups, including the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education, the Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, and the Massachusetts League of Women Voters. These groups argue that the MCAS is an important tool for holding schools accountable and that it ensures that all students have the skills they need to succeed in college and the workforce.
* **What are the arguments for and against the ballot question?**
- **Arguments for the ballot question:**
- * The MCAS is a flawed test that does not accurately measure student learning.
- * The MCAS has a negative impact on students, teachers, and schools.
- * The MCAS is unfair to students who come from low-income families or who have disabilities.
- * The MCAS puts too much emphasis on standardized testing and not enough emphasis on other forms of assessment, such as portfolios and projects.
- **Arguments against the ballot question:**
- * The MCAS is an important tool for holding schools accountable.
- * The MCAS ensures that all students have the skills they need to succeed in college and the workforce.
- * The MCAS is fair to all students, regardless of their background.
- * The MCAS is necessary to ensure that Massachusetts students are competitive in the global economy.
* **What is the likely outcome of the ballot question?**
It is difficult to say what the likely outcome of the ballot question will be. The issue is likely to be close, and it will likely depend on how well the two sides are able to mobilize their supporters.
* **What are the implications of the ballot question?**
The outcome of the ballot question will have a significant impact on education in Massachusetts. If the ballot question passes, it will mean the end of the MCAS as a graduation requirement. This could lead to changes in the way that schools are run and the way that students are assessed. It could also lead to a debate about the role of standardized testing in education.
FROM BING AI
The Massachusetts ballot question to end MCAS graduation requirement:
- - The MCAS or Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System is a standardized test that students in grades 3-10 must take every year in subjects such as English language arts, mathematics, science and technology/engineering¹. The test is designed to measure students' proficiency in the state's curriculum frameworks and to ensure that they are ready for college and careers¹.
- - Since 2003, high school students must pass the MCAS exams in grade 10 English, math, and one of the four science and technology/engineering tests in order to graduate¹. Students who do not pass the tests on their first attempt can retake them until they meet the minimum score¹.
- - However, some critics of the MCAS graduation requirement argue that it is unfair, ineffective, and harmful to students, especially those from low-income, minority, immigrant, and special education backgrounds²³. They claim that the MCAS test narrows the curriculum, reduces student engagement, increases dropout rates, and widens achievement gaps²³.
- - To address these concerns, a group of petitioners filed a draft ballot initiative with the Massachusetts attorney general on August 2, 2023, that would suspend the MCAS graduation requirement starting from the 2024-2025 school year⁴. The petition proposes to use students' completion of and mastery of high school coursework based on academic standards and other benchmarks to judge their competency to graduate⁴.
- - The petition has the support of the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA), the state's largest teachers' union, which voted unanimously to back the ballot question on August 6, 2023⁵. The MTA president Max Page said that the union is committed to fixing the "over-reliance on high stakes testing" and that the evaluation of educators is the best reflection of how students have done in their coursework⁵.
- - The petitioners will have until November of this year to gather about 75,000 signatures from registered voters to qualify for the 2024 ballot⁵. If the measure makes it onto the ballot, voters will have a chance to decide whether to end the MCAS graduation requirement or not. If the legislature approves the measure before then, it could become law without a vote⁴.
- - According to an MTA-backed poll conducted in early June, 73% of 800 registered voters said they supported ending the MCAS graduation requirement⁴. However, the existing law also has its defenders, such as the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education, which credited the MCAS and its graduation requirement with making Massachusetts schools "first-in-the-nation" and enhancing the state's economic competitiveness⁴.
Bing, 8/7/2023
(1) Massachusetts Teachers Association votes to support ballot question ending MCAS graduation requirement. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/massachusetts-teachers-union-supports-ballot-question-to-end-mcas-graduation-requirement/ar-AA1eSESM.
(2) Massachusetts teachers union activists to pursue ballot question to end MCAS graduation requirement. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/massachusetts-teachers-union-activists-to-pursue-ballot-question-to-end-mcas-graduation-requirement/ar-AA1eI9ai.
(3) OTR: Should Mass. voters be able to decide on MCAS graduation requirement?. https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careers/otr-should-voters-be-able-to-decide-on-mcas-graduation-requirement/vi-AA1eRXq1.
(4) Teacher's union backs ballot question to remove MCAS high school ... - WBUR. https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/08/02/petition-ballot-initiative-mcas-high-school-graduation-requirement.
(5) Massachusetts Teachers Association votes to support ballot question .... https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/ballot-question-ending-mcas-graduation-requirement-massachusetts-teachers-association/.
