When Massachusetts voters decided to ditch the state’s high school graduation exams on Election Day, they joined a growing trend that has steadily chipped away at the use of high-stakes tests for the past two decades. The vote leaves just seven states with mandated graduation exams, a number that could dwindle again in coming years.
FILE - Boston Community Leadership Academy pilot high school 10th-grade English teacher Beth Noell, left, helps Natashia Ector, 17, prepare for the English portion of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System test, Dec. 11, 2006, in Boston. as a high school graduation requirement on Election Day, they joined a trend that has steadily chipped away at the use of high-stakes tests over the past two decades.
In Massachusetts, a teachers union led the campaign against the graduation requirement, arguing it was keeping too many students from receiving a diploma and weighing too heavily on choices about school curriculum. The other side received backing from prominent business leaders including former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and state officials including Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat.
In New York, state officials this month proposed a timeline to phase out exit exam requirements as part of an overhaul of graduation standards. Students would still take Regents exams in math, English, science and social studies, but beginning in the 2027-28 school year, passing scores would no longer be required for a diploma. The plan would give students alternatives like community service or capstone projects to demonstrate proficiency.
“What we want out of high school grads isn’t measured very well by a standardized test,” he said, including whether students are critical thinkers, problem solvers or able to collaborate.“The vote against the MCAS is yet another sign of the overwhelming power of the teachers unions in blue states, and will turn Massachusetts diplomas into nothing but participation trophies,” said Michael Petrilli, president of the right-leaning Fordham Institute.
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