DESE recommends changes to MCAS schedule, graduation requirements

BOSTON — The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Commissioner is asking the state to modify its graduation requirements for the Class of 2022.

If approved, this year’s 11th-graders won’t need to take the MCAS test in order to graduate.

DESE is also asking for the timeline for administering the tests in grades 3 through 8 and 10 to be extended until June 11.

These proposed modifications to the 2021 MCAS are in addition to earlier changes the Department made, which included:

• Postponing testing until later this spring.
• Shortening MCAS testing for grades 3 through 8, administering only a portion of each MCAS assessment in each subject.
• Modifying the competency determination for the Class of 2021 by allowing students to receive their CD by passing an approved course and demonstrating competency in that subject.
• Providing accountability relief for school districts, the Commissioner will not name any new underperforming or chronically underperforming districts or schools in the upcoming school year.

The Department also extended the testing window for ACCESS testing for English language proficiency from February until May 20, 2021.

Under federal law, states are required to test students annually in math and English in grades 3 through 8 and in one grade level in high school. Additionally, testing in science is required once in elementary, middle and high school.

In a statement Thursday, Massachusetts Teachers Association President Merrie Najimy said changes to the administration of MCAS tests announced Thursday “are a step in the right direction, but they fall far short of what the MTA and all the other major education groups in the state are calling for this year — canceling the tests altogether.”

“Instead of just ending the MCAS graduation requirement for this year’s juniors as well as seniors, the MTA is urging the Legislature to abolish the requirement, as all but 11 states have done,” Najimy said. “In addition, parents and guardians should be informed of their right to opt their children out of high-stakes standardized testing. While federal and state officials have decided that the tests must be administered, there is nothing in state law that requires students in grades three to eight to take them. Local education officials should inform families of their opt-out rights, and pledge to give non-tested students meaningful activities to do during the testing periods.”

“Administering the MCAS tests this year would be nothing but a bureaucratic exercise in compliance that would take time and resources away from teaching and supporting students. It would add stress to an already disrupted year without providing educators or parents with any valid or useful information,” Najimy said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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