Wu ‘torn’ on MCAS ballot question to eliminate graduation requirement

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said she would not take a public stance on whether public school students across the state should have to pass the 10th-grade MCAS exam in order to graduate high school — one of the November election’s five ballot statewide questions.

A new Suffolk University/Boston Globe survey released Tuesday found that about 58% of respondents would be voting to eliminate the requirement, while 37% want to keep the standard in place.

“I am torn about this ballot question,” Wu said on Tuesday on Boston Public Radio. “For a ballot question that is essentially all or nothing, with a promise to set up a commission to figure it out afterward, I wish there were more details upfront.”

The ballot measure indicates that the state’s existing Board of Elementary and Secondary Education would oversee across-the-board standards for student competency. Wu’s office did not respond to questions clarifying what potential commission she was referring to.

The mayor said she would not take a public position, but she said certain aspects of the ballot question are crucial, while others lack the necessary nuance.

“Tests should not be used in a high-stakes way,” she said, citing concerns for students with diverse learning needs.

A report from a research partnership with state education departments noted that, while most students pass the MCAS on their first attempt, the majority of those who don’t are English learners or students with disabilities, raising concerns about equity in educational outcomes.

Wu expressed her unease about the alternatives proposed by the ballot question, stating, “I’m not with the alternative that this puts in place in terms of what would replace that to maintain high standards.”

Maintaining high educational standards and effective assessments for students is important, the mayor said.

“When you have the ability to assess how students are doing in a classroom, that’s great feedback for educators, that’s great feedback for schools and for cities around what resources need to be deployed.”

If she felt strongly enough about an issue to fully support a position, she said she would be vocal.

“With this one, there’s enough gray area that I am not taking a public position,” she said.

Wu said she would vote on all ballot questions.