Word: mcas
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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David M. DeBartolo's article about the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System ("Test Scores Should Not Deny Diplomas," Opinion, Nov. 30) certainly shows that he has a better grasp of the issues surrounding MCAS than most, but his proposal to lower the stakes of the test goes against the fundamental reasons for the test's existence...
...MCAS is supposed to determine if a student has reached a basic level of proficiency as defined by the state. If students who do not reach this level of proficiency are given a diploma and a pat on the back, what is the point of the test...
...giving students who pass the MCAS an "honors diploma" sounds an awful lot like the grade inflation that Alejandro Jenkins talked about in his column ("A Fool's Complaint," Opinion, Dec. 1). Under this system the MCAS would quickly fade into the background along with all of the other standardized tests that high school students take...
...shock. The standardized frameworks for English and math, on which the test is based, were completed only a couple of years ago. Since they were distributed, teachers have been expected to adapt to these frameworks, and students have tried valiantly to mold their answers to the format that the MCAS encourages. However, the timetable has been too short, and it is the students who are being shortchanged...
...MCAS is mandated by the Education Reform Act of 1993, the intent of which was to encourage investment and interest in Massachusetts schools. The state has devoted a great many resources to improving the quality of education under this legislation. Standards and expectations have been raised, and much-needed attention has been focused on the schools. However, if more than a quarter of the total high school class across the state fails to receive a diploma because of one test, the outrage will cause an immense backlash against education reform, with destructive consequences. The state must encourage and enable students...