Board OKs higher MCAS exam standards

MALDEN -- The state Board of Education toughened the MCAS graduation requirement yesterday, mandating that students get a higher score on the tests -- or at least pass a set of college-preparatory classes by their senior year.

The board's 7-to-2 vote was the first time the state changed the passing score for the MCAS exam since it was set in 2000.

Yesterday's debate, which drew a large crowd at the Department of Education, echoed concerns raised six years ago when community members feared the dropout rate would soar.

Yesterday, state Representative Carl Sciortino Jr. , Democrat of Medford, and others said they worried the new requirements would worsen the dropout rate among black, Hispanic, and other students who have the lowest MCAS scores. State board members, however, countered that too many schools are letting students pass the exams with the minimum score.

"This is an issue of expectations," said Henry M. Thomas III , the only African-American on the nine-member board, speaking to dozens of school officials, business leaders, and others.

"What has hurt the community that I'm familiar with the most is low expectations: It was a fait accompli, the black students weren't going to make the grade. Just think about what you want for your children. African-American and Hispanic parents want the same thing for their children," Thomas said.

Since 2003, students have had to pass the 10th grade English and math MCAS tests to graduate from high school with a score of 220, which means students have a partial understanding of reading, writing, and math at that grade level.

The board's vote will raise the passing score to 240, or proficient, which means all students have a solid command of the material. In spring, less than a third of black and Hispanic students scored proficient on both MCAS tests, compared with at least two thirds of white and Asian students.

Students who score below 240 on their first try as a sophomore must have an "educational proficiency plan" outlining the courses they would take in 11th and 12th grades to improve their skills.

Students will then be tested each year on the MCAS or another measure to see whether they improved, though they don't have to score 240 on those tests to graduate.

Opposing the vote were Hareen Chernow , the labor representative to the board, and student member Trevor Frederick , an Ipswich High School senior.

Chernow said she was worried that more black and Hispanic students would drop out and said the proficiency plans were too vague.

Frederick said students he consulted were against raising the score.

In spring at his school, where only 1 in 5 students didn't score proficient , he said the MCAS exam causes students to "go crazy."

"It's a really big wall to climb," he said.

But Education Commissioner David P. Driscoll said the state must push schools to get students to achieve more.

"When people look back they will realize that the time has come. Two hundred and twenty is not good enough," he said.

Boston schools , where nearly half of the students didn't score proficient this year, say they want students to score higher, but they need more resources .

James A. Peyser, the state Board of Education chairman, said the state would ask the Legislature and the next governor for $25 million to better prepare students.

In other action, the board voted 8-to-1 to quicken state intervention in low-performing schools, allowing the state to start work as early as next month on 40 additional schools that are failing to show adequate improvement.

Maria Sacchetti can be reached at msacchetti@globe.com.