To the editor:
As one who taught years before the Education Reform Act of 1993 took effect, I am disappointed that the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) wants to abandon the requirement that students must pass the Grade 10 MCAS test in order to graduate.
Why? Because I remember what it was like “in the good old days” before Reform with few standards and little uniformity in delivering curriculum. In fact, conditions were such, particularly in urban areas, that the local business community demanded redress because a high school diploma was often worthless.
Fast forward three decades later when our state has become the envy of school districts throughout the US. Recent data from the NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) report that nationally we are first in Reading, and second in Math. This success reflects the effort and commitment of Massachusetts students, teachers, and taxpayers.
The MTA describes the grade 10 test as “high stakes,” often without mentioning that students have four more chances to pass the test in grades 11 and 12 after receiving tutorial support. According to the Massachusetts Department of Education, “Only about 700 students, or roughly 1% of the graduating class of about 70,000 high school seniors, ultimately fail to graduate solely because of MCAS each year.”
So how did Lynnfield High School fare? The 2024 MCAS results indicate that 4% of our Grade 10 students “did not make expectations” in English compared to 12% statewide. In math 5% did not make the mark compared to 13% statewide. In Science, all students met expectations as opposed to 11% who failed statewide. No doubt, these few students who did not pass will be given the support to succeed in the two years before graduation day.
Lynnfield is justifiably proud of its schools and commitment to excellence in education. I fear that if passing the Grade 10 MCAS test is no longer required for graduation, Massachusetts will start to slide down that proverbial “slippery slope” toward undoing the benefits of Reform.
Lynnfield, let’s uphold our high standards and vote NO on Question 2.
Helen Breen
Retired English teacher
