November 5th brings an important issue to Massachusetts voter’s ballots: do we need MCAS to graduate?
As of right now, the state requires at least a score of 470 on English, Mathematics, Sciences, and Social Studies on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, but there are some problems that arise. One being how students that have just moved to the country and may not speak the language well.
This potential change may be coming as a delight to some members of the student body: “it’s just extra stress”, sophomore Michael Tsang says, “it’s probably just a waste of time.”
Others may think otherwise, Braintree Schools Director of Math, Courtney Miller notes how, with towns having the power to decide if it becomes a requirement for graduation. “If the graduation requirement went away, I would not see any specific change to the curriculum standards that we are teaching in our classes”, says Miller.
Whether in favor or not, removing MCAS as a graduation requirement will relieve students of significant pressure entering the testing room.
