MCAS on transcripts

James A. Peyser
Chairman
Massachusetts Board of Education
State House, Room 271M
Boston, MA 02133

Dear Mr. Peyser:

We are writing to express our opposition to a proposal that would add students' MCAS scores and performance levels to their high school transcripts. As you know, we have been outspoken supporters of the MCAS as a critical component of standards-based education reform. It is our view, however, that including students' MCAS results on their permanent records may place many Massachusetts public school students at a disadvantage when applying for higher education, scholarships or employment.

Here in Massachusetts, we have begun to raise awareness about the effectiveness of MCAS exams as an objective measure of student learning. However, this indicator is specific to our state and may not be understood by college admissions officers and employers in other parts of the country. To include students' scores without providing the necessary context about the scores' meaning would be irresponsible and possibly harmful.

If all applicants were assessed on the same indicators, perhaps the playing field would be more level, but how would one compare the performance levels on the MCAS with those on the statewide tests administered, for example, in Texas or New York? Moreover, this additional indicator would be used to assess only public school students, which may render their applications less favorable than those of private or parochial school students who are not required to take the tests. We fear this disparity may be particularly detrimental to public school students from urban areas with higher percentages of low-income families and students in bilingual and special education programs.

Some have argued that reporting of MCAS scores may strengthen the candidacies of students who score in the highest performance levels. We submit that any student may opt to disclose his or her score voluntarily to colleges and employers, but to require all students to do so seems unnecessary and unfair.

We have worked closely with schools, families and communities throughout Boston to foster understanding of the importance of the MCAS exams. In doing so, we have emphasized that students who pass the tests by performing at Level 2 or higher will earn a high school diploma and have greater opportunities to pursue college and career goals. Students in Boston and throughout the Commonwealth have been working diligently to reach this benchmark. Let us not punish those who were once in the "Failing" category but eventually meet the standard, only to be permanently branded thereafter as "Needs Improvement."

Thank you for your consideration of our comments. We look forward to continuing our work with you and the citizens of Massachusetts on behalf of effective education reform.

Sincerely,

Thomas M. Menino