SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – There will soon be a new horizon for the education community after Massachusetts Ballot Question 2 was approved, ending the requirement that students pass the MCAS to graduate from high school. Schools across the state may be excited to celebrate the results of yesterday’s ballot question, one that now allows for the removal of the MCAS as a graduation requirement for high school students in the commonwealth. The results were that 59 percent of people voted in favor of removing passing the tests as a graduation requirement.

“MCAS has been a standardized, universal assessment that works well for some students but is a barrier for others,” said Deb McCarthy, vice president of the Massachusetts Association of Teachers.

In her 25 years of teaching, McCarthy has seen which students have benefited the least from the MCAS. “Students who are learning a second or third language, students who are on an IEP and students who are dyslexic,” she said.

Educators can now focus their curriculum on preparing students for college and graduate school, rather than passing a standardized test. “I’m really excited that we’re going to give more agency and authenticity to the learner because I think that’s really going to do something about the attendance crisis that we have,” added McCarthy.

Now, moving forward, students will be required to complete district-certified coursework and meet state standards.

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