House Bill 3660: Points to Convey to Your MA State Legislator
Reasons to reform the current statewide assessment system (MCAS) in MA. include:
1. The withholding of high school diplomas because of the results on a single type of assessment instrument has resulted in the disproportionately high denial of diplomas to students with disabilities, English Language Learners, and African-American students.
2. Virtually all professional and scholarly organizations representing assessment experts agree that it is inappropriate to withhold a high school diploma because of the results on a single type of assessment instrument. All tests, no matter how well designed, are subject to error, and multiple test-taking opportunities do not rectify the flaws of a test.
3. Research indicates that high stakes tests, such as the MCAS, do not achieve their aims of (a) better preparing students for the work force or college, (b) closing the achievement gap between racial groups, and(c) boosting the academic achievement of high school students.
4. Research also shows that high stakes tests put students at greater risk for dropping out of school.
5. Test preparation and statewide testing has diminished instructional time during the school day. State-mandated testing is occurring on 15% of the days students are in high school. Important skills are being neglected because of the excessive attention being given to preparing for specific test items.
House Bill 3660 would:
1. Reduce the overreliance on single type of test by using a variety of assessment approaches, including state and local tests, and portfolios.
2. Help create a truly comprehensive statewide assessment system and reverse the tendency to teach a specific set of test items.
3. Encourage instruction of the broad array of skills that students need to be successful in the 21st century.
4. Create a more balanced approach to student assessment, including student products and demonstrations that closely parallel the types of tasks students must perform in post-secondary education or real-world work settings.
5. Encourage district-level accountability and assessments that are strongly linked to improvement efforts.
6. Produce an assessment system that maintains high standards, is cost neutral, and eliminates the negative effects of high stakes testing.
You can find the names and contact information of your state representative and senator at: http://www.wheredoivotema.com