MCAS
Coverage of MCAS in the Nexus archive.
- Proposed graduation requirements revive debate over standardized testing
Massachusetts state officials propose new standardized exams in English, math, and science as part of high school graduation requirements, reviving debate over testing after voters eliminated the MCAS requirement in 2024. The proposal includes MassCore coursework, capstone projects, and financial/digital literacy requirements, but does not clarify if passing the tests is mandatory for graduation. Supporters argue for consistency in diplomas, while critics claim it reintroduces high-stakes testing under a new name.
- Including end-of-course testing in new graduation requirement unlikely to do much good
The article argues that reinstating end-of-course testing for graduation in Massachusetts is unlikely to improve student outcomes, citing data showing declining test scores despite past penalties. It notes that scores began slipping a decade ago under high-pressure systems like No Child Left Behind and the Massachusetts MCAS program, with similar declines observed globally.