by Timothy P. Murray, President & CEO, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce
In fiscal year 2022 it is estimated that Massachusetts taxpayers of all types through their local, state and federal taxes contributed over$20,197,461,902.05 to fund the Pre-K through 12 public education system across the Commonwealth. This investment of over $20 billion annually into public schools is about making sure that Massachusetts children graduate with an educational skill level that will allow them to work and compete in an increasingly complex world economy.
Accordingly, given the size and scale of this annual taxpayer investment, it is reasonable to have a uniform statewide assessment to ensure that our children have these baseline skills rather than having 300 plus school districts, across Massachusetts each establishing their own separate assessment and high school graduation requirements. This is why the state established, in 1993, the MCAS exam as a statewide assessment tool and high school graduation requirement. High school sophomores must pass the MCAS in order to graduate from high school and make sure that they are proficient in English language arts, math, and science at a tenth-grade level. The good news is that in 2019, 88.4% of all students passed the exam on their first attempt. Retests, tutoring, support and processes that include cohort and portfolio appeals are available for those unable to pass the MCAS exam through a student’s local school district and/or the state.
The establishment and implementation of high standards for students and teachers has resulted in Massachusetts being ranked number one in the nation in many student achievement measures. As the President and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, the single biggest issue we hear from our 2,100 member businesses and organizations on a daily basis is the need for a skilled workforce.
As the son, husband, and brother-in-law of public school educators, and as a former mayor and school committee chair in Worcester, I recognize the MCAS is not a perfect tool, and that improvements can be made to more fully assess the educational attainment levels of students. However, in the absence of an improved alternative, it would be both foolhardy and irresponsible to eliminate the MCAS as a graduation requirement without an alternative. Un-fortunately, this is being proposed in the upcoming Question 2 ballot initiative which seeks to eliminate the MCAS graduation requirement without an agreed upon statewide alternative.
First and foremost, this ballot question is a disservice to our students as we know positive educational outcomes are inextricably linked to their future economic and financial success. Secondly, our educators are able to use the MCAS as a diagnostic tool in identifying students’ academic strengths and weaknesses which makes efficient use of classroom time and instruction. Lastly, taxpayers of all stripes deserve to know that their annual $20 billion investment into the Massachusetts public education system is providing a positive return in terms of producing a well-educated and skilled workforce needed to keep Massachusetts competitive. We urge Massachusetts voters to vote No on Question 2.
