policy

With about 88 percent of precincts reporting, 59 percent of residents favored ending the graduation requirement in place of district-set standards, according to the Associated Press.

Massachusetts high school seniors will no longer need to pass the MCAS to receive their diploma after voters overwhelmingly passed Question 2.

With about 88 percent of precincts reporting, 59 percent of residents favored ending the graduation requirement and replacing it with courses set by the district, according to the Associated Press.

The Massachusetts Association of Teachers, the union behind the ballot question, and their supporters celebrated at the Copley Hotel Tuesday night.

“In passing Question 2, Massachusetts voters proclaimed that they are ready to let teachers teach and students learn, without the onerous effects of high-stakes standardized testing undermining the mission of public education: to prepare all students for future success as citizens. , creative, happy workers and adults,” MTA President Max Page and Vice President Deb McCarthy said in a statement issued on behalf of the High Standards, No High Stakes Committee Wednesday morning.

The MTA called the results “truly a collective victory” and thanked everyone who worked hard to support passage of the ballot measure.

In lieu of the MCAS requirement, students will complete courses in math, science and technology, and English. State Sen. Jason Lewis said he plans to introduce legislation in January that would require graduating students to complete MassCore, which is currently only recommended, for districts across the state. He said that would bring Massachusetts in line with most other states.

“Standardized tests are imperfect and cannot measure the full range of skills, knowledge and competencies that we want to develop in our young people and are critical to their future success,” Lewis. he wrote on social media. “Research has shown that test scores are highly correlated with student demographics, such as family income.”

“Change is never easy or quick,” the MTA said Wednesday. “When it comes to our children’s education, we need to be sure that we are acting in their best interest. But there are no better experts on what our children need to succeed academically than the educators who work every day in our public school classrooms.

“With this election victory, voters have welcomed a new era in our public schools,” the MTA continued. “This is the beginning of more holistic and thorough assessments of student work. We are also interested in continuing to discuss making the MassCore course of study available to all Commonwealth students. But the first achievement is complete: Our schools will no longer punish students who simply do not do well on standardized tests, for whatever reason.”

MCAS results will still be used to hold teachers and schools accountable without hurting students, MTA Vice President Deb McCarthy said. previous. Question 2 also had the support of the Cambridge local Matt Damon.

Opponents, with millions in financial support from business leaders, incl Michael Bloombergthey argued that eliminating the test would lower standards for Massachusetts students.

In a statement, John Schneider, chair of the Protect Our Kids’ Future: No on 2 campaign, said: “While we are disappointed by the outcome, the discussion about educational equity and academic standards does not end with this vote.

“Eliminating the graduation requirement without a replacement is reckless,” the statement continued. “The passage of question 2 opens the door to greater inequity; our coalition intends to ensure that the door does not remain open. Those responsible for our state’s public education system need to have an honest conversation about whether moving forward with this proposal is the right decision for Massachusetts.”

Contrary to public opinion, Gov. Maura Healey, Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler and Senate President Karen Spilka oppose the measure. Spilka has said before for the Legislature to exercise its right and amend the proposal.

Schneider thanked Healey, Tutwiler and Spilka, as well as others who have “publicly voiced their opposition to eliminating our only statewide standard for public high school graduation.”

“The massive special interest spending and misrepresentation of the consequences of Question 2 illustrate why ballot questions are a poor way to approach complicated education policy,” Schneider said. “We believe that all of us, working together, should take a timely comprehensive look at setting statewide graduation standards to properly prepare our students for college and workforce expectations. We hope the teachers’ unions will join us in this effort.”

what is happening now

The measure will take effect immediately, meaning the Class of 2025 will not have to pass the MCAS to graduate in May.

If Lewis’ plan goes through, districts across the state could be required to implement standardized graduation requirements after Question 2 is implemented.

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Molly Farrar is a feature reporter for Boston.com, focusing on education, politics, crime and more.

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