Boston Education Committee Hears Testimony on MCAS Graduation Requirement Before Ballot Vote

BOSTON -- October 15, 2024, Boston City Council education panel holds hearing on removing MCAS as a high school graduation requirement ahead of November 5 ballot vote. Chair Henry Santana convened the virtual Committee on Education hearing on Docket No. 1444, sponsored by Councilors Tanya Fernandez Anderson and Julia M. Mejia, drawing four union panelists, including Boston Teachers Union President Eric Berg and Massachusetts Teachers Association President Max Page, who argued the high-stakes graduation tie harms students of color, English language learners, and students with disabilities. Will Austin, leader of the Boston Schools Fund and a member of the No on 2 executive committee, countered that Ballot Question 2 "simply eliminates a requirement" with no concrete replacement. Councilor Erin J. Murphy pushed back on the panel's composition, noting that fewer than 10 Boston students annually fail to graduate because of the MCAS and that the math passing threshold converts to roughly 30 percent on a 100-point scale. Councilors Edward M. Flynn and John FitzGerald requested a follow-up hearing featuring voices on both sides of the debate, and Santana said he is open to scheduling one with the lead sponsors.