MA Coronavirus: State Looks To Cancel Or Delay MCAS

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education received preliminary approval this week to either delay or cancel the upcoming MCAS exams.

Schools in Massachusetts are closed through at least May 4 to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. Superintendents have been looking for guidance on both administering MCAS exams and making up missed school days.

The exams are required under state and federal laws and are used to assess the quality of instruction in Massachusetts school districts. Passing English and math MCAS exams during 10th grade are a graduation requirement for public high school students. Final approval for a delay or cancellation will need to come from the state legislature.

"If and when that's done, you should expect me to make decisions in short order in the best interest of our students," Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley said Tuesday in a teleconference meeting of the Massachusetts Board of Education.

Also on Tuesday, Riley said the department will not require school districts to make up days missed during the coronavirus shutdown.

"The state is not requiring any school to go beyond its previously scheduled 185th day of school," Riley said. That echoed earlier comments from Gov. Charlie Baker, who said schools would not be required to make up missed school days.

Riley outlined both decisions in a letter to families.

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The decision brings relief for communities across Massachusetts, which would have incurred additional costs to make up the missed school days. Towns and cities are already struggling to plan budgets for the remainder of the current fiscal year with the sudden downturn in tax revenues. The department is expected to issue additional guidance within the coming days.

Most school districts have been sending home educational materials for students to work on during the shutdown, which started March 16.

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Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).