By CHRIS COLLINS
Franklincountynow.com Staff
(Boston, MA) — Massachusetts students may not have to worry about taking the MCAS exam this year.
The Massachusetts House and Senate have approved legislation that would require the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to waive the MCAS requirement for this academic year, because of the COVID 19 pandemic. Franklin-Hampshire State Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton) voted in favor of the legislation, but says it doesn’t go far enough.
“I was a strong and vocal opponent of high-stakes standardized tests before the COVID 19 pandemic,” Comerford said. “In addition to waiving the requirements for this year, I firmly believe we must suspend the high stakes nature of this test for six years at a minimum. The seismic impact of the current disruption in learning will be felt for at least that period of time.”
The House of Representatives passed the bill early Friday morning. Governor Baker signed the bill into law on Friday.