MCAS

[Nance Confer <Marbleface@AOL.COM>]

Boston Globe
<A HREF="http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/265/metro/MCAS_barrier_may_be_lowered+.shtml";>MCAS barrier may be lowered</A>
Grades could offset close-call failures
(By Scott S. Greenberger, Globe Staff)
Students who barely fail the MCAS exam would be allowed to use their grades
or other standardized test scores to prove they've learned enough to
graduate, under a proposal the state Board of Education will discuss Tuesday.




My favorite parts:

"James A. Peyser, who chairs the board and serves as Swift's top education
adviser, said the goal is to ''ensure fairness without sacrificing the
standards.'' He acknowledged, however, that some staunch MCAS supporters
''are nervous that we're stepping onto a slippery slope.''

''We'll have to be very vigilant that it doesn't evolve into a gaping
loophole,'' he said."


In light of one glaring loophole mentioned above:


"For its part, the board has lowered the minimum passing score and determined
that MCAS retests (students will be able to take four retests before the end
of 12th grade) won't include the toughest questions from the initial exam."


But you've got to read the whole thing to truly appreciate the minds at work
here.

Nance