Massachusetts Votes to Ditch Standardized Tests as High School Graduation Requirement
When Massachusetts voters decided to ditch the state’s standardized tests as a high school graduation requirement on Election Day, they joined a trend that has steadily chipped away at the use of high-stakes tests over the past two decades.
The vote on the ballot question leaves only seven states with mandated graduation exams, a number that could soon shrink further.
A Backlash to Standardized Tests
A backlash to standardized tests has been fueled by complaints they take up too much classroom time and questions about how well they measure readiness for college or careers. It has gained steam in recent years with concerns about equity and learning setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS)
In Massachusetts, a teachers union led the campaign against the graduation requirement, arguing it was keeping too many students from receiving a diploma and weighing too heavily on choices about school curriculum. The other side received backing from prominent business leaders including former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and state officials including Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat.
“We shouldn’t have different expectations for students depending on which zip code they live in,” Healey said. “We should have a uniformity to our expectations and they should be high for our students and our families.”
The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests are given in mathematics, science and technology and English. The ballot question didn’t end the tests, which are also used for assessing student progress. But passing them will no longer be required for a diploma.
Other States Could Abandon Similar Tests
In the mid-2000s, a high of 27 states required students to pass an exam to graduate, according to the National Education Association, the nation’s largest teachers union. The states that still have them, for now, are New York, Florida, Louisiana, Ohio, New Jersey, Texas, and Virginia.
In New York, state officials this month proposed a timeline to phase out exit exam requirements as part of an overhaul of graduation standards. Students would still take Regents exams in math, English, science, and social studies, but beginning in the 2027-28 school year, passing scores would no longer be required for a diploma. The plan would give students alternatives like community service or capstone projects to demonstrate proficiency.
Debate Continues Over How to Measure Readiness
Harry Feder, executive director of FairTest, which opposes using tests as graduation requirements, said it makes sense to shift away from the tests he calls a “cheap and easy way” to conduct education.
“What we want out of high school grads isn’t measured very well by a standardized test,” he said, including whether students are critical thinkers, problem solvers, or able to collaborate.
Critics say easing the graduation requirement will result in lower standards.
“The vote against the MCAS is yet another sign of the overwhelming power of the teachers unions in blue states, and will turn Massachusetts diplomas into nothing but participation trophies,” said Michael Petrilli, president of the right-leaning Fordham Institute.
Conclusion
The vote to eliminate the MCAS as a graduation requirement is a significant shift in the way Massachusetts measures student readiness for college and careers. While some argue that easing the requirement will result in lower standards, others believe that it will allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in alternative ways.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did Massachusetts voters decide to eliminate the MCAS as a graduation requirement?
A: Voters decided to eliminate the MCAS as a graduation requirement due to complaints that it took up too much classroom time and questions about how well it measures readiness for college or careers.
Q: Which states still have mandated graduation exams?
A: Seven states still have mandated graduation exams: New York, Florida, Louisiana, Ohio, New Jersey, Texas, and Virginia.
Q: What is the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS)?
A: The MCAS is a set of standardized tests given in mathematics, science and technology, and English in Massachusetts.
Q: Will the MCAS still be used?
A: Yes, the MCAS will still be used to assess student progress, but passing it will no longer be required for a diploma.
