Word: mcas
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Last Friday, when the state released the most recent round of Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test scores, there was some self-congratulation in the districts that improved. Cambridge was one of those districts—10th grade scores increased by 21 and 27 percent in the English and math sections, respectively. Superintendent of Schools Bobbie J. D’Alessandro hailed this accomplishment, writing in a press release that “We are very pleased with the overall MCAS results...
...first glance, this looks like a considerable improvement, a positive omen for the future. But after scratching the surface, it seems that not much real progress has been made. The higher scores on year’s 10th grade MCAS test can be attributed to a variety of causes other than actual academic improvement...
...Using [the MCAS test] as a graduation requirement is not kind, and is also not really going to lead to kind of results that improve student learning,” Turkel said...
Price also opposes the “high-stakes” test and suggests offering “local diplomas” to students who do not pass the MCAS, he said...
Baker offered a different view, however. He said the MCAS should simply be delayed as a graduation requirement until “we get it right...