Raising educational standards in Massachusetts

There was no end to the desultory and overheated criticism of the Massachusetts MCAS test when it was introduced several years ago. The MA Department of Education decided that a high school diploma should mean something and, over the vocal objections of the teachers’ union, instituted a test to guarantee that Bay State students achieve some minimum standard of capability. Now business leaders are pushing Governor Mitt Romney to raise the educational bar, so to speak:

State education officials start debate today on whether to raise the MCAS score that high school students need to graduate, a move they say would better prepare students for college.

The Board of Education has no timeline on raising the passing score, but its chairman acknowledged yesterday that the federal government requires Massachusetts to raise the bar for passing the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests by 2014.

In recent weeks, board members have faced pressure from business leaders and
Governor Mitt Romney to beef up graduation requirements. The original passing score was set nearly six years ago. Education officials vowed to raise it, but have not, partly because of concerns that students could not meet a higher standard.

''The real question we're wrestling with is how to encourage the system to reach higher," board chairman James A. Peyser said yesterday.

Right now, over 95% of MA high school students pass the MCAS test and receive a high school diploma (students get several chances to pass the test and receive test help.) Strange as it might seem, between the accountability of the MCAS test and charter schools, Massachusetts may lead the nation in education reform that produces real results.