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            WHEREAS: Ballot Question 2, “Repeal the requirement that students must achieve a certain competency level on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exam to graduate high school” is on the ballot this coming November 2024

WHEREAS: Ballot Question 2 would maintain MCAS assessments and related reporting and accountability requirements to the extent mandated by federal law; and

WHEREAS: Ballot Question 2 leaves the current academic learning standards in place that determine what students are required to learn; and

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

WHEREAS: The Executive Committee of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees recently voted unanimously to urge voters to vote “yes” on Question 2; and

WHEREAS: The Cambridge School Committee passed policy order #23-078 on April 4, 2023 to support the passage of the Thrive Act that would have also ended the use of MCAS as a graduation requirement; and

WHEREAS: The Cambridge Public Schools are committed to providing the best possible educational experience to all our students; and

WHEREAS: Ballot Question 2 would establish a modified graduation requirement based on coursework rather than standardized testing; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the Cambridge School Committee supports Ballot Question 2, which would remove the MCAS as a graduation requirement, and will send a copy of this motion to the Cambridge state delegation and to Governor Healey.