By Aliyah Dominguez
Voting has the potential to change the lives of millions of Americans which makes it important for voters to stay informed and educated on pressing matters. Understanding the full context of each issue and its implications helps voters make well-informed choices with a positive statewide impact.
During an election year, voters have the power to decide at the polls on which legislation will pass into law via ballot measures. This year, Massachusetts has five ballot questions that are up for votes. Here is a brief overview of the question by Neighborhood View alongside a deep dive into the debate about whether the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) should be deemed a high school requirement.
Here are the five questions on the ballot:
Question One specifies the state auditor’s authority to audit the legislature. Should you vote YES to this proposition, you will vote in favor of authorizing the state auditor to audit the Massachusetts legislature. A NO vote will make no changes to the law regarding the auditor’s authority.
Question Two regards the elimination of MCAS as a high school graduation requirement. If you vote YES on this ballot question, the graduation requirement for students to pass the MCAS will be abolished. A NO vote will make no changes to the law regarding high school graduation requirements.
Question Three asks voters to approve a law that allows unionization for Transportation Network Company drivers. This applies to rideshare drivers like Lyft and Uber who under current Massachusetts law cannot form unions. A YES vote on this proposal will allow transportation network drivers to form unions to collectively bargain for their wages, benefits, and working conditions with their respective employers. If you vote NO, it will leave the law unchanged.
Question Four votes on limited legalization and regulation of certain natural psychedelic substances. A YES vote would allow those who are 21 and above to use a group of natural psychedelics, namely psilocybin, psilocin, mescaline, DMT, and ibogaine, under licensed supervision. These substances can also be grown, shared, and possessed in limited quantities. A NO vote will make no changes in the law regarding psychedelic substances.
Question Five is about the minimum wage for tipped workers. A YES vote would gradually increase the minimum hourly wage for tipped workers over five years and allow employers to pool tips and distribute them among all non-management workers while a NO vote would leave the current law unchanged.
What is MCAS?
The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) is a standardized test used by the state of Massachusetts to assess whether students are learning at par with their grade level expectations within the Massachusetts Framework Curriculum. State and federal laws mandate that children from grades 3-8 and grade 10 students take these statewide standardized tests. For grade 10 students, a passing score is required for them to receive their diploma and walk across the stage during graduation.
What does Question 2 on the ballot mean?
On the Massachusetts ballot, question 2 does not seek to abolish the comprehensive exam. Instead, it aims to eliminate the requirement of a passing score for students to graduate. The graduation standard would instead be determined by each district; students would have to complete coursework certified by their district that will demonstrate their academic competency as per state standards. MCAS will still be utilized to measure students’ knowledge of the state-set curriculum.
Where did the MCAS come from and what was its purpose?
In the early 1990s, several low-income communities across Mass. expressed concern about the lack of funding in their school district compared to other resource-rich districts. Inequitable school funding across the state prompted a lawsuit, McDuffy v. SEC of the Executive Office of Education, from the aggrieved lower-income districts. They stated that the commonwealth was not performing its constitutional duty of providing equitable education to all children.
In 1993, the MA Education Reform Act was passed. This law leveled the playing field across state districts by mandating local contributions and incorporating supplemental state aid for schools. Further, it outlined the state’s responsibility to provide each child with an equitable, high-quality education. MCAS was integrated as a standards-based law to measure the anticipated growth of education as a result of additional funding. It was also utilized as a diagnostic test to recognize areas of education that remained underfunded by curriculum and by district.
According to the comprehension law, districts had seven years to incorporate and adjust to requirements, followed by revisions made every three years. However, the first revision was not made until 2007. While the state intended to increase aid minimums, the 2008 recession dampened those plans. Since then, there have been few functional changes to the MCAS itself and school funding and academic capabilities across districts are still disproportionate.
How does the MCAS grading system work?
MCAS questions are created by educators, the Department of Education and Secondary Education, and test contractors. The questions are then reviewed by the MCAS Assessment Development Committees (ADCs) and MCAS Bias and Sensitivity Committee (BSC).
Students have as much time as they need to complete the test. If a student does not receive a passing grade, there are multiple pathways to take toward earning Competency Determination. This includes retaking the MCAS as many times as needed, as well as going through a personalized Educational Proficiency Plan (EPP) or opting for the appeals processes. Additionally, the state has accommodations available for the disability community.
MCAS is only available in English and Spanish. English-learning students, except those who are in their first year of enrollment in U.S. schools, are required to test as regularly scheduled.
MCAS scores are divided into four categories: Exceeding Expectations, Meeting Expectations, Partially Meeting Expectations, and Not Meeting Expectations. The majority of Mass students in grade 10 receive a passing score in the MCAS. According to the Mass Dept. Of Education, 58%, 50%, and 47% of grade 10 students in 2023, met or exceeded expectations in English language arts, mathematics, and science, respectively. 11%, 9%, and 11% failed to meet expectations in English language arts, mathematics, and science, respectively.
How divided is the community over MCAS requirements?
There is plenty of discourse about the MCAS among citizens online. Teachers, parents and community members have expressed divisive opinions about the appropriate course of action.
A July 18 facebook post by the Massachusetts Teachers Association in support of question two was met with mixed responses from the public. Some were opposed to the idea, with one user saying, “Unless I know exactly what they are going to replace it with. I will not vote to get rid of it.” Another user commented, “Definitely not a fan of that verbiage. Sounds like more of the same with a different name.”
Many expressed their approval, with one person stating, “Give autonomy back to teachers and stop using a meaningless test to ‘evaluate’ kids.” Another user agreed, saying, “I agree it should be removed and also that special needs kids deserve diplomas not a certificate of completion.”
Users who expressed their disapproval were met with anecdotal responses from parents. A user said, “Sure, let’s take away the only test that’s actually seeing how these students are doing. These kids can barely read or do simple multiplication because the school system is failing them, but we want to take away what actually sees how they are doing.”
A mother responded to the criticism with her personal experience. While her daughter is at par with grade level expectations, the stress that comes with the MCAS test often shoots up her anxiety, causing her to underperform, she said.
“She gets all As and Bs in classes. But if she can’t pass this stupid test, then she can’t get a diploma?? You really think that’s fair?” she asked.
Other resources that can help you stay informed:
If you’re looking for more information on ballot questions, Malden has a wide variety of sources you can tap into.
- Check out former Mayor Ed Lucey’s 02148 Podcast or 02148 Video Program with city clerk Carol Ann Desiderio, where they review all 5 ballot questions.
- The Chinese Cultural Connection hosted a ballot questions forum on Oct. 21 at the City Hall chambers where panelists discussed the five questions as well as general election information.
- The School Committee discussed Malden’s MCAS statistics in an Oct. 10 school committee meeting. That video is available on the MaldenAccess TV YouTube page.
Additionally, the Northeast Metropolitan Vocational Regional School Committee positions are there on the ballot. Since it is a regional vote, you may vote for any of the candidates on the ballot, regardless of what city they represent.
Important voting dates to keep in mind:
In-person early voting in Malden opens on Saturday, Oct. 19 and closes on Thursday, Oct. 31 during regular city hall hours. On weekends, voting hours are between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Early mobile voting is also available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 25 in the community room at the Malden Police station on the East side for folks who are unable to make the trip down to city hall.
Vote by mail applications must be at city hall by Oct. 29.
Tuesday, Nov. 5 is election day, and polls will remain open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For further information on polling station locations throughout the city, visit CityofMalden.com/vote.
Question 2 sources:
Mass. Dept. Of Elementary and Secondary Education: MCAS
Cambridge Public Schools: MCAS information
McDuffy v. SEC. of the Executive Office of Education
Tufts College Voter Guide 2024 Ballot
Municipal Advocate Vol. 29, No. 2 21
Aliyah Dominguez is the Civic Engagement Specialist at Urban Media Arts in Malden. She is in charge of gavel to gavel video coverage of City Council, School Committee, and other select public meetings. Aliyah can be reached at aliyah@umaverse.org.
Be the first to comment