Legislators Speak Out Against Punitive Uses of Test Scores

A group of legislators recently called for a moratorium on the punitive uses of standardized tests, citing a “perfect storm” that has undermined the credibility of the state’s test-based accountability system.

In Massachusetts, low scores on standardized tests lead to severe sanctions meted out to schools and districts, including school closures and district takeovers. Low scores can keep high school students from getting their diplomas even if they pass all their courses. Student scores are also factored into teacher evaluation.

“We are not saying tests shouldn’t happen,” said Sen. Patricia Jehlen (D-Somerville). “But these tests should be used to improve instruction, not to punish.”

Sen. Jehlen’s bill S.294 would call a three-year moratorium on test score-based sanctions against schools and districts.

“We have had a decade of standardized testing that continues to affirm that Massachusetts is leading the nation in educational success—this was true prior to MCAS and this continues to be true—for some of our students,” said Rep. Marjorie Decker (D-Cambridge).

Rep. Decker has filed H.340 to stop all punitive uses of state test scores for three years while a commission that includes parents and educators works on a new and better system for improving schools.

“After over a decade of high-stakes standardized testing, we know that many of our low-income, under-resourced families and minority children are not thriving on the test,” said Decker. “Those who pass the MCAS and are lucky enough to make it to community college are overwhelmingly enrolling in remedial courses.”

Sen. Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover), Rep. Mary Keefe (D-Worcester), and Rep. Benjamin Swan (D-Springfield) also spoke at the press conference. They have filed bills that would give high school students their diplomas if they pass all their courses and meet all other requirements, even if they have not passed the state standardized test.

Sen. L’Italien spoke of a student with disabilities who worked hard, met all expectations except for passing the test, but now faces enormous barriers in pursing education or employment because she did not pass MCAS, the state test.

Rep. Keefe described an innovative Worcester program that brought low-income children to the nearby Worcester Art Museum to learn social studies and art, until it was dropped to make time for test prep.

Rep. Swan said many students get discouraged if they can’t pass the state test and wind up dropping out of school.

Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) Rep. Denise Provost (D-Somerville), Rep. Frank Smizik (D-Brookline), and Rep. Aaron Vega (D-Holyoke), co-sponsors of the legislation, also attended the press conference.

President Obama has also called for less testing in recent weeks, offering grants to states to develop innovative, more useful measures of student learning and school success.

The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is due to make a decision Nov. 17 on whether to continue using the existing MCAS state test, switch to a new multi-state test known as PARCC, or – a third option announced just recently by Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Mitchell Chester – some form of hybrid using PARCC-type questions but under Massachusetts control.

Opponents of high-stakes testing cite the uncertainty over which test students should prepare for as an additional reason for a moratorium on punitive uses of the tests.

– Submitted by State Senator Pat Jehlen’s office (D-Somerville, Medford)