WORCESTER – The Worcester School Committee approved a resolution supporting the removal of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test as a requirement to graduate from high school during its meeting on Thursday, Sept. 5.
The Educational Association of Worcester (EAW), the union that represents teachers in Worcester, brought the resolution. Its president, Melissa Verdier, presented the petition to the school committee. Other EAW members spoke to support the resolution.
The vote was 6-2, with At-Large member Maureen Binienda and District D member Alex Guardiola opposed the resolution. District C member Diana Biancheria abstained.
The resolution states the position of the school committee, but is non-binding, as the MCAS graduation requirement is state law.
Question 2 on the ballot for the general election on Nov. 5 asks voters the same question. The question does not end MCAS testing, but eliminates passing the test as a graduation requirement.
A yes vote would repeal the requirement that students pass the MCAS test as a condition for graduation.
A no vote preserves passing the MCAS test as a requirement for graduation.
According to FairTest, eight states, including Massachusetts, currently require students to pass a statewide, standardized test to graduate. In the mid-1990s, 27 states required a test to graduate.
The other states are Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, Texas, Virginia, and Wyoming.
