SHIRLEY ARRIAGA OPPOSES MCAS SCORE CHANGE
Updated: Sep 10, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ashley Marceau
413-686-3385
WEBSITE: https://www.shirley4chicopee.com/
SHIRLEY ARRIAGA OPPOSES MCAS SCORE CHANGE
CHICOPEE — Shirley Arriaga, Veteran and candidate for State Representative in Chicopee’s 8th Hampden District, today voiced her opposition to the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education’s 8-3 vote to raise the state's MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) scores. The test has been a graduation requirement for all 10th graders attending a Massachusetts public school since 2003. Currently, students must pass each section with a score of 472 in English, 486 in Math, and 220 in Science. The change would impact the incoming class of 2026, who would be required to achieve a 486 in English and Math, along with a 470 in Science, to graduate. For students with an educational proficiency plan, a score of 470 would be needed to pass Math and English.
“As a mom, and educator within the Chicopee Public School System, I oppose the Massachusetts Boards decision to raise the score requirement for standardized testing. Our children lost 2 years of education and socialization due to the pandemic. In 2021, over 50% and 70% of our 10th grade students, on the English and Math MCAS, partially or did not meet expectations. Raising these scores without providing teachers and students with adequate resources necessary to achieve success sets Chicopee students up for failure. The Massachusetts Board must reconsider this score increase, and I will advocate to fully fund our schools for student success.”
20% of Chicopee students are English language learners, or English is not their first language, these test score increases disproportionately impact students in our community. Raising MCAS scores and teaching to a test fails to provide the education our ELL students need, and does not adequately demonstrate their educational success.
###