Hybrid learning. A forced return to the classroom. Should students still be forced to take MCAS?
The Grafton School Committee is joining a growing chorus of educators who want to cancel this year’s MCAS in light of the continued disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is not education. This is not what education is about,” said School Committee member Amy Marr, who questioned Education Commissioner Jeffrey Reilly’s decision to bring all students back to in-person learning, only to disrupt classroom time with the high-stakes test.
MCAS is administered annually to grades 3-8 and grade 10 and a passing score on English/Language Arts, math, and science exams is required for graduation — and to assess the competency of education in the school system.
The exams were canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, and state officials said in January that the exams are needed this year to determine learning loss over the course of the pandemic. Schools will not be punished for low scores.
MCAS will be delayed this year. Grades 3-5 will be tested between May 10 and June 11, with other grades to be determined later. Students who are enrolled in the Remote Learning Academy will be required to take the tests in-school.
The Massachusetts Association of School Committees in November called for a moratorium on MCAS, with multiple school committees signing on to the resolution. While the Grafton School Committee did not take a vote this week, member Elizabeth Spinney agreed to write up a resolution for the next meeting.
“I really don’t like the message that kids are falling behind educationally,” School Committee Chair Laura Often said. “We’re entering a new world.”
