Massachusetts teachers’ unions, parents and students gathered at Beacon Hill on Wednesday to push for statewide changes to public education.Gathered at Church on the Hill, across Bowdoin Street from the Massachusetts State House, the group argued that the state’s use of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System test is having a negative impact on students. They’re supporting the so-called Thrive Act, which allows MCAS testing to continue but would end the use of standardized testing as a graduation requirement.They say many of the schools have English language learners and argue it’s not fair to require them to pass a test in English only. “Many students in my district as well as Boston Public Schools, are first-generation English language learners that are required to pass this exam that is only in English,” said Soleei Guasp, a Harvard Student who attended Wednesday’s event. “We’re asking our educators and students to learn a test that is not going to help them at all,” said Suleika Soto, a parent of a Boston student.The proposal would create a graduation requirement based on coursework instead of testing.”Governor Healey believes assessment plays an important role in measuring student achievement, but that we have an obligation to ensure the test is equitable and measuring what we need it to,” a spokesperson for Gov. Maura Healey wrote in a statement. “Our administration has been actively engaging with stakeholders to take a closer look at our current testing system, including potential reforms or alternatives that would best support our academic and equity goals.”The proposed legislation would also end the ability of the state to take over underperforming schools. Proponents argued that the schools that go into receivership are largely underfunded and that the state should pump in more resources.”Lawrence has been in the hands of the state for more than eleven years. To save us. But the receivership law does not put them or the commissioner on probation for failing,” said Jonathan Guzman of the Lawrence School Committee. “Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and Secretary Tutwiler believe the state should be a partner to local school districts to help every student receive a high-quality education. Since day one, our administration has worked closely with the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education to review the districts currently under receivership and evaluate the best path forward,” Healey’s spokesperson said.Massachusetts has taken over schools in Lawrence, Holyoke and Southbridge through the current process.The Commissioner of Education declined to provide a comment for this report.
Massachusetts teachers’ unions, parents and students gathered at Beacon Hill on Wednesday to push for statewide changes to public education.
Gathered at Church on the Hill, across Bowdoin Street from the Massachusetts State House, the group argued that the state’s use of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System test is having a negative impact on students. They’re supporting the so-called Thrive Act, which allows MCAS testing to continue but would end the use of standardized testing as a graduation requirement.
They say many of the schools have English language learners and argue it’s not fair to require them to pass a test in English only.
“Many students in my district as well as Boston Public Schools, are first-generation English language learners that are required to pass this exam that is only in English,” said Soleei Guasp, a Harvard Student who attended Wednesday’s event.
“We’re asking our educators and students to learn a test that is not going to help them at all,” said Suleika Soto, a parent of a Boston student.
The proposal would create a graduation requirement based on coursework instead of testing.
“Governor Healey believes assessment plays an important role in measuring student achievement, but that we have an obligation to ensure the test is equitable and measuring what we need it to,” a spokesperson for Gov. Maura Healey wrote in a statement. “Our administration has been actively engaging with stakeholders to take a closer look at our current testing system, including potential reforms or alternatives that would best support our academic and equity goals.”
The proposed legislation would also end the ability of the state to take over underperforming schools. Proponents argued that the schools that go into receivership are largely underfunded and that the state should pump in more resources.
“Lawrence has been in the hands of the state for more than eleven years. To save us. But the receivership law does not put them or the commissioner on probation for failing,” said Jonathan Guzman of the Lawrence School Committee.
“Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and Secretary Tutwiler believe the state should be a partner to local school districts to help every student receive a high-quality education. Since day one, our administration has worked closely with the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education to review the districts currently under receivership and evaluate the best path forward,” Healey’s spokesperson said.
Massachusetts has taken over schools in Lawrence, Holyoke and Southbridge through the current process.
The Commissioner of Education declined to provide a comment for this report.