MCAS graduation requirement question will be on the ballot in November
MCAS graduation requirement question will be on the ballot in November
Public education advocates have notched a key milestone in their campaign to replace the high school graduation requirement tied to the MCAS exam. The Elections Division of the Secretary of State’s office certified the additional signatures needed to place the initiative on the Nov. 5 statewide ballot.
The ballot question is an effort led by the MTA, joined by other public education allies including parents, students and educators.
“We are one step closer to replacing the punitive graduation requirement with a renewed focus on our best-in-the-nation state standards and academic frameworks,” MTA President Max Page said. “This certification reflects the power of collective action; union educators, parents and community allies united to gather 170,000 signatures – more than any other ballot initiative this cycle and far exceeding the requirements to get on the ballot.”
The initiative aims to shift the focus from a standardized test and replace it with local certification that a student has completed coursework that meets all of the state’s academic standards.
“It’s time to win this issue at the ballot this November and demonstrate that it is the educators, parents and community members who know what is best for our students,” MTA Vice President Deb McCarthy said. “Our students believe they are more than a score, their parents want to experience all that their child is capable of beyond a test score, and educators want to educate the whole child. In the coming weeks, MTA educators will intensify their efforts, engaging directly with voters to ensure a victory in November.”
“Our students believe they are more than a score, their parents want to experience all that their child is capable of beyond a test score, and educators want to educate the whole child.“
MTA Vice President Deb McCarthy
The MTA has begun onboarding nearly 85 member-educators to canvass, organize events, knock on doors and have those critical one-to-one conversations, laying the groundwork for a successful statewide campaign.
If passed, the ballot initiative would replace the MCAS graduation requirement with fairer, more authentic measures in which districts certify that graduating students have satisfactorily completed coursework that demonstrates mastery of the skills, competencies and knowledge contained in the state academic standards and curriculum frameworks.