Battle lines have been drawn over what may become one of the most hotly contested issues this session -- whether or not Massachusetts should maintain a high\u2026
Battle lines have been drawn over what may become one of the most hotly contested issues this session -- whether or not Massachusetts should maintain a high school graduation requirement tied to students passing a statewide standardized test.
Supporters brought in some heavyweights to testify in favor of the so-called Thrive Act, which would replace the statewide testing requirement with a requirement for districts to independently certify that a student has completed coursework that shows they meet state standards.
The bill before the committee would not completely eliminate the MCAS, which is taken in third through eighth grade and 10th grade. It would only uncouple whether a student earns a diploma to their achievement on the test. There are currently alternative routes for those who cannot pass the exam, such as an appeal process through the state.
Opponents of the testing graduation mandate and state receivership say the policies unfairly harm communities of color. English language learners on average require the most tries to pass the test, and the three districts under state receivership -- Lawrence, Holyoke and Southbridge -- are lower-income communities with high populations of students of color.
The statement of opposition says the legislation would"lower education standards and strip the state of its ability to intervene in and support districts whose students are struggling academically." Lambert recalled serving on the education committee as a member of the House in the 1990s when the education reform law that created the MCAS system was created. He said that prior to that reform many school districts were content to pass students on through graduation with"inadequate educational opportunities" or"urgency to prepare them for future success."
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