STATEMENT BY JOHN SCHNEIDER, CHAIRMAN OF THE PROTECT OUR KIDS FUTURE: NO ON QUESTION 2 ON 2024 MCAS RESULTS
September 24, 2024 - Today’s results confirm the importance of maintaining Massachusetts’ high academic standards that have been the cornerstone of our state’s top-ranked public education system.
Question 2 would unravel that progress. The Spring 2024 results underscore the importance of the 10th grade tests. Student achievement increases meaningfully from grades 8 to grade 10 when students know the test matters. For example, in English Language Arts, 57% of 10th graders meet or exceed expectations compared to 43% who hit this benchmark in 8th grade. In math, the percent of students who meet or exceed expectations moves to 48% in grade 10 from 38% in 8th grade, and in science the scores jump from 49% in 10th grade from 39% in 8th grade.
Question 2 would eliminate the state’s only common graduation requirement, which ensures students acquire the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in college and career. The result would be more than 300 different and unequal standards for graduation, leading to wider inequities in student achievement and opportunities, and negatively impacting kids for the rest of their lives. In fact, the only remaining statewide high school graduation requirement would be four years of gym. Massachusetts would have less rigorous requirements than Mississippi and Alabama.
The simple fact is that for three decades our state’s assessment system has been a key measure of student success, and a critical tool for teachers and parents to pinpoint where students need additional support to succeed. Question 2 would abandon those children.
A ‘no’ vote on Question 2 ensures students graduate with the tools they need to earn their diplomas and thrive in the years ahead.
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