Worcester, MA - In November, Massachusetts voters will make a critical decision on whether passing the MCAS will remain a requirement for high school graduation. The citizen-initiated ballot question seeks to remove this mandate, sparking a statewide debate.
On Monday, September 30th, the Worcester Education Collaborative’s (WEC) Education Equity Roundtable hosted a virtual point-counterpoint debate to explore both sides of the issue. The event, designed for parents and caregivers, educators, and community members, attracted over 100 attendees from Worcester and beyond.
Melissa Verdier, President of the Educational Association of Worcester, presented arguments in favor of the ballot measure, while Timothy Murray, President & CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, offered opposing views. The discussion was moderated by Dina Tedeschi, a Worcester parent and Family & Community Engagement Specialist at WEC.
Both speakers presented arguments for why they held their respective positions on the issue. One notable point of contention was Verdier’s assertion that the statewide educational standards that all districts are required to teach would not be affected by the removal of the MCAS as a graduation requirement. She argued that the ongoing reforms in education are the reason for improvements in standards, not the MCAS itself, and highlighted that Worcester requires students to complete MassCore.
Currently, the awarding of a high school diploma in Massachusetts requires a passing score on the MCAS, a passing grade in history/civics, and four years of physical education. The state also recommends but does not require passing grades in the MassCore, a program of study that includes 4 years of English, 4 years of Mathematics, 3 years of Science, 3 years of History, 2 years of Foreign Language, 1 year of Art, and 5 additional courses such as health, technology, and/or business education.
In contrast, Murray emphasized the importance of the MCAS as a diagnostic tool that ensures all students meet a uniform proficiency level in key subjects before graduating. He raised concerns that without a standardized assessment graduation requirement, the interpretation of curriculum across the state's 399 districts could lead to inconsistencies and inequities. Murray argued that maintaining high standards is essential for preparing students for success in college and beyond, citing a study that shows a correlation between proficiency in these subjects and higher lifetime earnings.
“We think this is an important diagnostic tool as well as a statewide assessment that helps make sure that that $20 billion that's invested annually into the public education system ensures that these high school students, upon obtaining their diploma, are at least proficient at the sophomore level in English Language Arts, Math, and Science,” said Murray.
Verdier challenged his position, “The standards are not going away. The standards are not being weakened. The standards did not get better because of MCAS. The standards got better because of the reform that goes on in education all the time,” she said.
Polling Results
Event attendees participated in live polls gauging their intended vote (Yes/No/Unsure) on Question 2: MCAS as a graduation requirement for public high school students. Polls were conducted both before and after hearing arguments from both sides. The results revealed clear shifts in opinion after the discussions. Initially, 51% of attendees planned to vote "Yes" on Question 2, with 14% leaning "No" and 35% unsure. Following the presentations, support for a "Yes" vote rose to 62%, while opposition increased to 33%, leaving only 6% undecided. These results highlight how the event significantly influenced attendees’ views on this critical issue.
To view the recording of this event, FAQ from attendees, and other materials please visit: https://www.wecollaborative.org/events/2024/mcas-ballot2024
The event was sponsored by the Worcester Education Collaborative and the Worcester Education Equity Roundtable. The Worcester Education Equity Roundtable is generously supported by The Nellie Mae Education Foundation.
______________________________________________________________________
Contact:
Jennifer Davis Carey, Executive Director, Worcester Education Collaborative
jdaviscarey@wecollaborative.org | (508) 615-5998
The mission of the Worcester Education Collaborative is to advance excellence and equity in education for all Worcester Public School students.
