Schools

Should Schools Get Rid of the MCAS?

This spring, students will field-test a new exam.

State education officials are strongly considering doing away with the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS), which has been a high school graduation requirement since 2003.

This spring, students will field-test the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) exam, which could replace the MCAS.

"It is time to upgrade our test," said Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Mitchell Chester in a statement. "(The MCAS) is 17 years old ... there's been a lot of advances in technology and what we know about assessment."

Massachusetts is one of 17 states that have been developing the PARCC exam.

The PARCC has its critics. The Massachusetts-based Pioneer Institute said it could violate the No Child Left Behind Act.

Should Massachusetts replace the MCAS? Share your opinion in the comments.


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