My Thoughts On MCAS

The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) is a statewide standardized test administered to students beginning in third grade. Students, in varying grades are tested in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Technology/Engineering, History and Social Sciences. Students are required to pass grade 10 MCAS test in English Language Arts and Mathematics, and, beginning with the class of 2010, one high school test in Biology, Chemistry, Introductory Physics or Technology/Engineering in order to graduate high school and be awarded a diploma. There are many different kinds of questions on the MCAS including open response, short answer and multiple choices.
I believe MCAS is a good tool for measuring progress, seeing what areas of student learning need improvement, and assessing individual needs of various student groups. I also believe open response questions, which ask the students to write their response for a question in a paragraph and, to defend their response with material from a text, provide the opportunity to develop much needed critical thinking skills.
I firmly believe that no single test should be the determining factor in whether or not a student earns a high school diploma. No student’s knowledge and skills can or should be summed up by one single test score. There are students that may not test well, but can, in other ways (such as a portfolio of their work) demonstrate appropriate knowledge of a subject. Students in schools that have higher class sizes, limited or no access to educational resources, and fewer qualified teachers will also suffer due to circumstances out of their control.
MCAS should continue to be used as an assessment tool. Accountability is needed and schools and students need to be held responsible. However, denying a student their right to a high school diploma based on a single test score is not appropriate. Other measures, including portfolios of student work should be considered.