CAMPAIGN PRESS RELEASE: Business + Civic Leaders Speak Out against MCAS Graduation Requirement

3 October 2024

As coalition calls out the inability of a single test to ensure the critical thinking and team-building skills needed in the workforce, the Yes on 2 launches grassroots effort 

BOSTON - October 3, 2024 - Today, a coalition of business and civic leaders from across Massachusetts called for an end to the MCAS graduation requirement in order to “foster the critical-thinking, cultural competency, teamwork, and creative skills that are the core skills needed to contribute to the civic, cultural and economic vitality of the Commonwealth.”

In a statement signed by 20 leaders from myriad industries and regions, the people driving the economic engine of the commonwealth called for the end of high-stakes testing:

“As civic and business leaders committed to building an equitable and prosperous Commonwealth, we support ending the use of a single, high-stakes test to determine whether or not high school seniors receive a diploma.

“As we seek the next generation of talent to shape our businesses, non-profits, and other vital institutions, we know that the skills we need in the workers of tomorrow cannot be measured by a single test. We also know that high-stakes standardized testing has a disproportionately negative impact on Black, Latinx, low-income, and English learner students. Replacing the MCAS as a graduation requirement with the requirement that students demonstrate their mastery of the state standards through coursework, will give us a more accurate measure of their skills, competencies, and knowledge. It will also support teaching strategies that foster the critical-thinking, cultural competency, teamwork, and creative skills that are the core skills needed to contribute to the civic, cultural and economic vitality of the Commonwealth.

“Well educated and well-rounded people are the core of the Massachusetts economy. Replacing the MCAS graduation requirement with a more accurate measure will build a more just and inclusive Commonwealth and a workforce that will fuel our collective success for years to come.”

Providing context on why they signed on to the statement, the Bay Staters cited the lack of common sense in giving a one-size-fits-all test the power to undermine and overrule the state’s already high education standards:

"The MCAS graduation requirement is preventing valuable additions to our workforce by undermining and sometimes all out denying students the opportunity to get the vocational and technical skills that they need to build a career and keep our commonwealth strong,” said Tom Clay, CEO of Xtalic Corporation. “Real life and matters of business aren't multiple choice questions or single paragraph answers –- the MCAS graduation requirement limits our workforce development at a time when we are facing critical shortages.”

“Massachusetts will be strengthened by lifting up the work students do year round to earn their high school diploma,” said Leise Jones, owner of Leise Jones Photography in Boston. “Ensuring that students learn critical thinking and teamwork skills is crucial as they enter the workforce, and a one-size-fits-all test can’t prove that we’re actually maintaining Massachusetts’ high standards for education.”

“As a business owner and former school committee member, I’ve seen firsthand the skills our students need to thrive—both in the classroom and in the workforce. We don’t just need employees who can pass a test; we need creative problem-solvers, critical thinkers, and collaborators,” said Jennifer Debin of Sherborn. “The MCAS graduation requirement is holding our students back from developing these essential skills. Eliminating it is crucial to ensuring our children are truly prepared to succeed in an ever-changing economy and contribute to the future of Massachusetts. That’s why I’m urging everyone to vote Yes on 2.”

Building upon the leadership of this coalition, the Yes on 2 campaign today launched "Business and Civic Leaders for High Standards not High Stakes." This grassroots effort will channel the passion in the local business and civic leadership communities into action, working to bring more leaders into the coalition and urge voters to Vote Yes on Question 2. 

Business and civic leaders will gather to lead on the ground activations and canvasses this weekend, speaking 1:1 with voters about what’s at stake with this ballot question. Join the grassroots effort and get involved with the Yes on 2 campaign by signing up at www.yesonquestion2ma.com/business.

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October 3, 2024

To the people of Massachusetts and the leaders of our Commonwealth:

As civic and business leaders committed to building an equitable and prosperous Commonwealth, we support ending the use of a single, high-stakes test to determine whether or not high school seniors receive a diploma.

As we seek the next generation of talent to shape our businesses, non-profits, and other vital institutions, we know that the skills we need in the workers of tomorrow cannot be measured by a single test. We also know that high-stakes standardized testing has a disproportionately negative impact on Black, Latinx, low-income, and English learner students. Replacing the MCAS as a graduation requirement with the requirement that students demonstrate their mastery of the state standards through coursework, will give us a more accurate measure of their skills, competencies, and knowledge. It will also support teaching strategies that foster the critical-thinking, cultural competency, teamwork, and creative skills that are the core skills needed to contribute to the civic, cultural and economic vitality of the Commonwealth.

Well educated and well-rounded people are the core of the Massachusetts economy. Replacing the MCAS graduation requirement with a more accurate measure will build a more just and inclusive Commonwealth and a workforce that will fuel our collective success for years to come.

Signed,

Dan Wolf, Cape Air

Tom Clay, Xtalic Corporation

Margaret McKenna

Malia Lazu, The Lazu Group

Leverett Wing, Commonwealth Seminar

Will Havemeyer

Leise Jones, Leise Jones Photography

Jim Van Der Hooven, Mount Wachusett Community College

Bob Zevin

Jennifer Debin, Momentum Enterprises

Ryan Debin, Momentum Enterprises

Shannon Bruno, Press Juice Bar LLC 

Karen Chen, Chinese Progressive Association

Farah Momen, Bondhu Basha

Giovanni Boivin

Chris Casey, Shrewsbury Children's Center

Michael Eras, Roasted Coffee Bar

Amy Butterworth

Zachary Bos, Bonfire Bookshop

April Fuchs, Taunton Diversity Network