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<p>WHEREAS: The Massachusetts State Legislature is considering passage of H.495/S.246, “An Act empowering students and schools to thrive” also known as “the Thrive Act” (see full text here: <a href="https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/HD3162">https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/HD3162</a> and here: <a href="https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/SD2067">https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/SD2067</a>); and</p> <p>WHEREAS: The Thrive Act would end the use of MCAS scores as a graduation requirement; and</p> <p>WHEREAS: The Thrive Act would establish a new process for identifying and supporting schools “designated as in need of comprehensive support and improvement”; and</p> <p>WHEREAS: The Thrive Act would maintain MCAS assessments and related reporting and accountability requirements to the extent mandated by federal law; and</p> <p>WHEREAS: The use of MCAS scores as a graduation requirement has not catalyzed the closing of opportunity gaps in Massachusetts and the test can be a barrier to graduation for students who do not perform well on standardized tests despite their understanding of a subject; and</p> <p>WHEREAS: The Thrive Act would establish a modified graduation requirement based on coursework rather than high-stakes standardized testing, and implement a new ‘comprehensive support and improvement’ system designed to empower local communities to give students the tools and resources they need to succeed; and</p> <p>WHEREAS: The Thrive Act would establish a commission to study and make recommendations for a “more authentic and accurate system for assessing students, schools and school districts,”; now, therefore, be it</p> <p>RESOLVED: That the Cambridge School Committee supports H.495/S.246, “An Act empowering students and schools to thrive” also known as “the Thrive Act” and will send a copy of this motion to the Cambridge state delegation and Governor Healey.</p>