AFT Massachusetts Responds to New Statewide Graduation Requirement Council

BOSTON  American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts President Jessica Tang released the following statement in response to Governor Maura Healey establishing a “Statewide Graduation Requirement Council” – which will include teachers, colleges, employers, and students – to develop recommendations for a statewide graduation standard after Massachusetts residents overwhelmingly voted to eliminate the MCAS as a graduation requirement in November:

“As educators, we have been fighting for a more equitable education and assessment system – one that takes into account the specific needs of our students and communities and does not rely on just one high stakes test. We believe in a system that allows educators to focus on giving students the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in school and beyond, and that creates authentic learning environments where setting and meeting high standards are embedded in every aspect of a school’s curriculum. One that actually identifies school strengths and weaknesses and provides concrete guidance on how to improve educational processes. 

“We’ve spent decades relying on a failed system disproportionately based on a one-size-fits-all standardized test. It widened the opportunity gaps we work every day to eliminate as educators. 

“By eliminating the MCAS as a graduation requirement, the voters of Massachusetts pushed the state to take a critical step toward educational equity. As we look to the next steps in this process, we need to not only ask the right questions but also have the courage to veer from the status quo.

“We look forward to working with the Healey Driscoll Administration as they work to identify a new, truly equitable assessment system that supports all students and schools of Massachusetts.”

ABOUT THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS MASSACHUSETTS

The AFT Massachusetts, a strong voice for collaborative education reform that is good for students and fair to educators, represents more than 25,000 public school employees, higher education faculty and staff, and public librarians.

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