State education officials voted Monday to require students to achieve higher standardized testing scores in order to graduate high school in Massachusetts. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education's decision means the Class of 2026 will be the first to face the higher Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System score requirements. Those students will be required to earn a scaled score of 486 on the English exam, 486 on the math exam and 470 for science and technology or engineering tests. The score thresholds are currently 472 for English and 486 for math.The board also voted to raise the minimum scores for English and math to 500 in the future, starting with the Class of 2031."The proposal we put forth is a measured proposal," said Jeffrey Riley, commissioner of the state's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.Students who complete an educational proficiency plan will face lower thresholds.In a previous memo to the board, Riley cited research showing that "MCAS scores predict later outcomes in education and earnings" and "only 11% of students in the class of 2011 who scored at the current passing standard in mathematics went on to enroll in a four-year college in Massachusetts, and only 5% graduated from a four-year college within seven years.""There is a relationship between achieving the graduation requirement and what happens to the rest of your life," said BESE member Matt Hills.Some board members, however, argued during Monday's meeting that Massachusetts should be moving away from standardized tests."It's one test, and it's not even comprehensive as the name claims," said BESE member Mary Ann Stewart. "So we're going further and further down a hole that is more and more narrow."Massachusetts Teachers Association President Max Page, head of the state's largest teachers union, said the new standards will mean certain students are even less likely to get a high school diploma."Low-income students (and) students of color, who have long been the subject of discrimination and other inequities," Page said of who will be most impacted by the higher minimum MCAS scores.The class of 2022 was not required to take and pass MCAS in order to graduate in recognition of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under federal law, states are required to test students annually in math and English in grades three through eight and in one grade level in high school. Additionally, testing in science is required once in elementary, middle and high school.Also during Monday's meeting, Riley told the board that DESE and the Department of Public Health had supplied updated COVID-19 guidance to school districts ahead of the new school year. The memorandum informed districts there would be no statewide mask mandate or testing programs. Early during Monday's meeting, at least two women were escorted out after causing interruptions. At least one of those women was heard shouting anti-vaccination claims at the board.
MALDEN, Mass. — State education officials voted Monday to require students to achieve higher standardized testing scores in order to graduate high school in Massachusetts.
The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education's decision means the Class of 2026 will be the first to face the higher Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System score requirements. Those students will be required to earn a scaled score of 486 on the English exam, 486 on the math exam and 470 for science and technology or engineering tests.
The score thresholds are currently 472 for English and 486 for math.
The board also voted to raise the minimum scores for English and math to 500 in the future, starting with the Class of 2031.
"The proposal we put forth is a measured proposal," said Jeffrey Riley, commissioner of the state's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Students who complete an educational proficiency plan will face lower thresholds.
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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
In a previous memo to the board, Riley cited research showing that "MCAS scores predict later outcomes in education and earnings" and "only 11% of students in the class of 2011 who scored at the current passing standard in mathematics went on to enroll in a four-year college in Massachusetts, and only 5% graduated from a four-year college within seven years."
"There is a relationship between achieving the graduation requirement and what happens to the rest of your life," said BESE member Matt Hills.
Some board members, however, argued during Monday's meeting that Massachusetts should be moving away from standardized tests.
"It's one test, and it's not even comprehensive as the name claims," said BESE member Mary Ann Stewart. "So we're going further and further down a hole that is more and more narrow."
Massachusetts Teachers Association President Max Page, head of the state's largest teachers union, said the new standards will mean certain students are even less likely to get a high school diploma.
"Low-income students (and) students of color, who have long been the subject of discrimination and other inequities," Page said of who will be most impacted by the higher minimum MCAS scores.
The class of 2022 was not required to take and pass MCAS in order to graduate in recognition of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under federal law, states are required to test students annually in math and English in grades three through eight and in one grade level in high school. Additionally, testing in science is required once in elementary, middle and high school.
Also during Monday's meeting, Riley told the board that DESE and the Department of Public Health had supplied updated COVID-19 guidance to school districts ahead of the new school year. The memorandum informed districts there would be no statewide mask mandate or testing programs.
Early during Monday's meeting, at least two women were escorted out after causing interruptions. At least one of those women was heard shouting anti-vaccination claims at the board.
This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.