Gov. Maura Healey as soon as once more indicated her administration is “looking at” adjustments to the MCAS and the query of whether or not the take a look at ought to stay a commencement requirement.
“When it comes to something like MCAS, I think what’s important here is that we have a test that actually works,” Healey mentioned on WGBH’s “Ask the Governor” phase Tuesday. “It’s there as an assessment tool. So I think it’s time, and I’ve charged my department with evaluating what it is we’re testing; are there changes that need to be made.”
The governor’s feedback come amid a legislative and high-profile poll query push to overturn the MCAS commencement requirement spearheaded by the Massachusetts lecturers’ union and advocates. If the MCAS poll query positive factors sufficient signatures by mid-November, the chance to overturn the testing requirement will go to voters in November 2024.
Healey did notice that the poll query “goes actually to the role of municipalities and their power and authority” on the MCAS commencement requirement.
Pushed on the problem of the commencement requirement, Healey didn’t point out a stance and pivoted again to potential adjustments to the take a look at and offering further instructional helps for college students.
“I think when it comes to the graduation requirements, again, that’s something that we’re looking at because, for me, the focus really is on, ‘What are we doing and why is it that children aren’t able to satisfy a graduation requirement?’” Healey mentioned.
The administration lately made adjustments accounting for the wants of English language learners and different college students, Healey mentioned, and intends to have a look at extra updates.
The governor additionally cited the latest launch of 2023 MCAS scores, displaying vital enchancment from pandemic-era scores.
“It shows us making progress,” mentioned Healey. “But we need to do more.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”