MBAE Response to Elimination of MCAS as a Graduation Standard

MBAE is disappointed in the outcome of ballot question 2, but we believe what voters are calling for is change in the current system not for the state to have no common graduation standard at all. A high school diploma must be meaningful in every community and students who earn one must be truly ready for the future. We must have a state standard that reflects high expectations for all students and not return to having over 300 different standards.

We ask state leaders to immediately begin the process of creating a new, strengthened, uniform high school graduation standard that preserves high expectations and educational equity. In the meantime, we must minimize the immediate impact on current students and consider how we might best protect their interests regarding their readiness for success.

MBAE played a central role over thirty years ago in supporting increased funding and innovative reforms for our schools that helped our state climb the rankings to now lead the nation in student achievement. We do not intend to abandon that commitment and will continue to advocate for high quality educational experiences for all students, not just some. We look forward to working with the administration, legislators, and other partners to craft the next iteration of a college and career readiness indicator for the Commonwealth.