
State education board advances MCAS-replacement coursework standard
The state education board is advancing a replacement for MCAS standardized testing requirements mandating students complete certain courses before graduation – but also elected to consider adding an option to take MCAS as an alternative as the new system rolls out.
“Coming out of the November ballot question, we have tried to remain centered around student learning, and tried to come up with what we believe are the best possible regulations to center that student learning and promote academic equity for all students across across the Commonwealth,” Chief Officer for Data Assessment and Accountability Rob Curtin said as he introduced the proposal.
Board members have met monthly on the new “competency determination” to certify students have met education standards to graduate since voters elected to throw out the use of the standardized MCAS test in November.
The new DESE proposal would require students “show mastery” — like completing a final or capstone project — in English, Math and Science and complete certain courses-requirements in all three subjects starting with the class of 2026. The class of 2027 on would be required to compete a course and show mastery in U.S. History.
The proposal requires districts to develop a competency determination policy through a formal process, including an appeal process for students. It also includes a provision allowing DESE to audit district policies.
In special circumstances like if a student is homeschooled or transferred from abroad, the proposal states, they may use MCAS as a substitute for the course-work requirements.
However, DESE member Matt Hills spelled out an alternative addition to the proposal expanding the use of MCAS, at least temporarily.
“It’s not a requirement if you’ve satisfied the curriculum and grade, no problem,” said Hills. “But that other path is you’re sitting there taking the 10th grade MCAS anyway. So if you get a certain minimum score on that, you will be deemed to have satisfied the state requirement for the competency determination.”
Hills said there would be “no consequence” to failing the MCAS as long as you met the coursework competency determination requirements.
“Rather than open the door to what could be a problematic path with DESE and disputes over auditing and all that, just make life simple,” said Hills. “And if two or three years from now, things are working well with the curriculum and grade path, we don’t need the MCAS path. But it certainly behooves us to have some backup plan for the circumstances we haven’t been able to capture yet and think of yet.”
Despite the potentially temporary and supplemental nature of the MCAS-option proposal, it earned immediate push-back from the Massachusetts Teachers Association.
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“Comparing MCAS scores with competency determinations based on satisfactory completion of coursework continues to draw a false analogy and could allow districts to put more focus on test preparation than on diversified, high-quality teaching,” MTA President Max Page and Vice President Deb McCarthy.
The MTA leadership, who sponsored and championed ballot Question 2, said they support “legislation that makes the MassCore curriculum a required course of study,” referencing the state’s currently-non-mandated curriculum guidelines.
“We are at a critical moment when we can reshape public education in Massachusetts to best meet the needs of our students, our communities and our country,” said Page and McCarthy. “It’s time we look beyond standardized testing and toward the coursework and teaching that readies our students for the future.”
The education board voted unanimously to advance the proposal and the additional expanded MCAS option to a public comment period.
The proposal will be in a public comment period until April 4 at 5 p.m., and the Board is scheduled to meet and vote on the proposal on May 20. Comment can be submitted via mail to DESE, online form, or email at competency.determination@mass.gov.