Massachusetts Board of Schooling raises MCAS rating wanted to graduate highschool
REPORTER: THIS DECISION DID NOT COME WITHOUT A LENGTHY DEBATE HERE TODAY. IN THE END, THE STATE EDUCATION BOARD VOTED 8-3 TO RAISE THE BAR FOR GRADUATION. RIGHT NOW, ACCORDING TO STATE DATA, STUDENTS WHO CURRENTLY PASS THE MCAS BUT JUST BARELY. OFTEN END UP LATER DOING POORLY IN COLLEGE AND GET LOW-PAYING JOBS. >> THERE IS A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ACHIEVING THE GRADUATION REQUIREMENT AND WHAT HAPPENS TO THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. REPORTER: SO TODAY, THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION VOTED. TO RAISE THE MINIMUM PASSING SCORE FOR ENGLISH FROM 472 TO 486. THE MINIMUM PASSING SCORE FOR MATH WAS ALREADY 486 AND WILL STAY THE SAME, FOR NOW. >> THE PROPOSAL WE PUT FORWARD IS A MEASURED PROPOSAL. >> IT’S ONE TEST AND IT’S NOT EVEN IMPRESSIVE. WE’RE GOING FURTHER DOWN A HOLE THAT IS MORE AND MORE NARROW. REPORTER: SOME BOARD MEMBERS, STATE LAWMAKERS AND THE STATE’S LARGEST TEACHERS UNION CLAIM SCHOOL SHOULD BE MOVING AWAY FROM STANDARDIZED TESTS. AND THEY SAY THESE NEW STANDARDS WILL MEAN CERTAIN STUDENTS ARE EVEN LESS LIKELY TO GET A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA. WHO WILL BE MOST IMPACTED BY THIS? WHICH STUDENTS? >> GUESS WHAT. LOW-INCOME STUDENTS, STUDENTS OF COLOR WHO’VE LONG BEEN THE SUBJECT OF DISCRIMINATION AND OTHER INEQUITIES. REPORTER: STUDENTS START TAKING THE GRADUATION MCAS TESTS IN THE 10TH GRADE AND GET SEVERAL CHANCES TO PASS. THOSE WHO DON’T PASS GET ADDED TUTORING AND CAN QUALIFY FOR AN ALTERNATIVE PATH TO GRADUATION. >> I’LL DO ANOTHER ROLL CALL. REPORTER: ALTHOUGH THE BOARD VOTED TODAY, THE NEW MINIMUM SCORES WON’T TAKE EFFECT UNTIL THE CLASS OF 2026, IN OTHER WORDS THIS FALL’S INCOMING FRESHMAN. THE BOARD ALSO VOTED TO GIVE FAMILIES EARLIER WARNINGS WHEN THEIR CHILDREN Aren’t making the grade. FOR EVEN YOUNGER STUDENTS, THE BOARD VOTED TO RAISE THE MINIMAL SCORES FOR BOTH ENGLISH AND MATH EVEN HIGHER. TO 500, BEGINNING WITH THE CLASS
Massachusetts Board of Schooling raises MCAS rating wanted to graduate highschool
The choice did come with out a prolonged debate, as some board members argued that the state ought to be transferring away from standardized testing.
The choice did come with out a prolonged debate, as some board members argued that the state ought to be transferring away from standardized testing.