MCAS exam still used as barometer for scholarship and job opportunities

By Barbara Taormina

Revere Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Dianne Kelly explained the recent change in state law regarding the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) at this week’s School Committee meeting. “A letter will be going home shortly about how things have changed, or I should say, how they have not,” Kelly said.

The Revere Teachers Association joined the Massachusetts Teachers Association in the recent campaign for Ballot Question 2, which excluded MCAS exams as a graduation requirement. Teachers argued that the high stakes tests do not reflect student achievements or performance, do not prepare students for college or the workforce and take away time spent on individualized learning and developing creativity and critical thinking skills.

Kelly stressed that while MCAS is no longer a graduation requirement, it’s important to understand that MCAS has not gone away. “Students are still required, by federal law, to take state assessment tests,” said Kelly, adding that there are reasons why MCAS is important for students.

“MCAS results are used as a qualifier for the John and Abigail Adams Scholarships which award free tuition to any state college, university or community college to students who score proficient on the math or English exam and exemplary on the other,” explained Kelly. “This is an important resource for families looking for a way to pay for college.”

MCAS also qualifies students for the Seal of Biliteracy, which Kelly said opens doors to scholarships and job opportunities.

Kelly also explained that while passing MCAS is no longer required to graduate, students will still need to complete required course work and demonstrate competency in three areas in order to graduate. “There’s not a huge change in what our kids in Revere have to do to graduate,” said Kelly.

Students must successfully complete Integrated Math1 and Integrated Math 2, English 9 and English 10 and one of the following lab sciences: Biology, Chemistry or Physics. Students who have IEP’s within the excel program can earn the competency determination by successfully completing Concepts of Math 1 and Concepts of Math 2, Concepts in English 9 and Concepts in English 10 and either Concepts in Biology or Concepts in Physics. English learner students may substitute ESL1, ESL2, ESL 3, ESL4, ESL advanced 9, ESL Advanced 10, ESL Advanced 11 or ESL Advanced 12 for the English 9 and English 10 requirements, but like other students they must complete the integrated math and lab science requirements.

According to state statistics, the MCAS graduation requirement meant roughly 700 students finished high school each year but were denied diplomas due to failing test scores.

“The decision to eliminate the MCAS graduation requirement has implications for students who finished high school but didn’t receive a diploma,” said Kelly. The district will be reaching out to those students, after they receive some guidance from the state on how to move forward.