MTA opposes MCAS testing this spring

MTA opposes MCAS testing this spring


The following statement was released today by MTA President Merrie Najimy:

We are strongly opposed to MCAS tests being administered this spring in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe the state should be pressing the federal government for a waiver from having to administer these tests – not simply postponing them. High-stakes standardized tests are problematic in the best of times, and they would be especially damaging right now.

"High-stakes standardized tests are problematic in the best of times, and they would be especially damaging right now. "

MTA President Merrie Najimy

They would add stress to an unbelievably stressful year and won’t provide results that are valid, reliable or useful. They would simply tell us what we already know: that low-income students and students of color have been impacted the most by the disruptions caused by the pandemic.

If state officials want to know what students need in order to recover from the pandemic, they should ask students, educators and parents themselves – not rely on a test that can’t possibly assess their most important needs for human connection, creativity, friendship and emotional support.