Education

Question 2 has passed, but is it truly the end of the MCAS requirement? Here’s what may happen next.

A new way to standardize graduation requirements across the state remains in the air.

November 6, 2024

3 minutes to read

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 complete MassCore, a recommended set of high school courses.

MassCore was adopted by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in 2007 and was amended in 2018. MassCore is recommended for all students but is not a requirement for graduation.

The program includes successfully completing four units of English, four units of mathematics, three units of lab-based science, three units of history, two units of the same world language, one unit of the arts, and five additional “core” courses. A unit is a full academic year of study.

Lewis said requiring MassCore to receive a high school diploma would “strengthen course offerings across all high schools, ensure that all students are receiving a rigorous education, and provide a consistent statewide graduation standard.”

His legislation would also consider other ways to encourage high-quality learning experiences, like capstone projects, service learning, vocational and technical education, advanced coursework, and work-based learning.

Lewis said he would consult with various stakeholders, including students, parents, teachers, and school administrators. He added that removing standardized test scores would align Massachusetts with most other states.

Lewis’s office did not respond to a request for further comment on the next steps.

The Massachusetts Teachers Association did not immediately comment on the next steps. However, the union said in a statement, “We also are interested in continuing to discuss making the MassCore course of study available to all students in the Commonwealth.”

John Schneider, chair of Protect Our Kids’ Future: Vote No on 2, noted in a statement that “those responsible for the state’s public education system need to have an honest conversation about whether moving forward with this proposal (the ballot question) is the right decision for Massachusetts.”

“We believe all of us, working together, should take a comprehensive look in a timely fashion at setting statewide graduation standards to properly prepare our students for college and workforce expectations,” Schneider continued. “We hope the teachers unions will join us in that effort.”

When asked what the group’s next steps will be, a spokesperson said it was too soon to devise a strategy.

Questions remain on what the state Legislature will do:

Whether the Legislature might amend or reverse this ballot measure is still a question.

Senate President Karen Spilka told The Boston Globe before the election, “We’ll have some discussions if it passes. I am not in favor of getting rid of MCAS.”

The Globe reports that Spilka and House Speaker Ron Mariano said the state should keep the MCAS requirement because it provides a uniform statewide way of assessing students.

When asked if lawmakers would work to amend or reverse voters’ decisions, Spilka’s office said, “Voters made their opinions clear on Question 2, and we expect guidance soon from DESE on how school districts can adapt their policies. ”

Mariano’s office did not comment.

However, Mariano, a former public school teacher himself, told the Globe that even without the graduation requirement, “someone has to evaluate what we’re doing in our public school system.”