CAMPAIGN PRESS RELEASE: Senator Ed Markey Endorses Yes on 2, Urging Removal of theMCAS Graduation Requirement

28 October 2024

BOSTON (October 28, 2024) — Today, Senator Ed Markey endorsed the Yes on 2 campaign, calling for an end to the MCAS graduation requirement.

“Education is the foundation of our democracy, and every student deserves the opportunity to excel based on their unique talents, hard work, and dedication—not simply by their ability to perform on a single test,” said Senator Markey. “Passing Question 2 is about promoting an educational system that upholds high standards while recognizing the diverse ways in which students learn and succeed.”

“Voting Yes on Question 2 will not eliminate the MCAS test entirely, it will simply reduce the test to one of many data points that can be used to gauge each student’s likelihood of success after graduation,” Markey continued. “I support working together - educators, state officials, parents, students, and community and business leaders - to develop a universal graduation standard that will allow every single student, including and especially low-income students, English language learners, and students with disabilities, to reach their fullest potential. I urge Massachusetts voters to join me in voting Yes on 2 to give all students a fair shot to graduate and pursue their dreams.”

Senator Markey joins Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Bill Keating, Rep. Jim McGovern. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, and Rep. Lori Trahan in calling for the passage of Question 2, marking support for ending the MCAS graduation requirement from the majority of Massachusetts’ federal delegation.

“We’re honored to have Senator Markey’s endorsement as we fight to ensure that Massachusetts’ education system is accountable to ALL students, not just standardized test scores,” said MTA President Max Page and Vice President Deb McCarthy. “As voters make their final decisions in the coming week, our coalition stands strong and united in the effort to return the focus to critical thinking, creativity, and individualized learning instead of teaching to a test.”

With Senator Markey’s endorsement, the Yes on 2 campaign continues to build momentum in the final days before the election. Supported by educators, parents, students, state legislators and thousands of advocates, the campaign has built a grassroots movement to uphold the state’s high standards by removing the MCAS graduation requirement.

Learn more about the Yes on 2 campaign and the effort to replace the MCAS graduation requirement at www.yesonquestion2ma.com.

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