Science MCAS stymies seniors

More are failing required test

July 26, 2011|By James Vaznis, Globe Staff

More than 2,500 12th-graders who did not pass the MCAS science section were denied diplomas last month at high schools across Massachusetts, raising fresh questions about the fairness of the graduation requirement and the quality of science instruction.

The students represent 3.7 percent of this year’s graduating classes, according to data released by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education at the Globe’s request.

The results were particularly crushing for the 731 students who passed the English and math MCAS exams, which have been graduation requirements for nearly a decade, but did not pass the science portion, which became a requirement last year. That number grew by nearly 200 students from last year, even though this year’s graduating classes were slightly smaller.

For many, the science requirement - passing the chemistry, biology, physics, or technology/engineering test - represents a seemingly insurmountable hurdle at the end of a strenuous obstacle course. While students are allowed to retake the test, a failure to pass by the end of high school prevents them from sharing in the graduation celebrations with classmates and moving on to college.

“They wouldn’t even let me walk across the stage,’’ said D’Andrea Young of Dorchester, who would have been a member of the last graduating class from Social Justice Academy if she had not failed the science portion by 2 points. “I was really mad.’’

Young faced considerable odds getting through her senior year. She gave birth to a daughter last November, then managed to juggle her new life as a mother while still doing well enough to pass her required courses for graduation.

Now, her plans to attend Bay State College in the fall are in jeopardy, where she hoped to prepare for a career as a probation or police officer.

Overall, 95.1 percent of 12th-graders in Massachusetts passed the English, math, and science exams in time for this year‘s graduation, down from 95.4 percent the previous year.

Mitchell Chester, the state commissioner of elementary and secondary education, said he was concerned about students who did not pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System exams in time for graduation.

But he defended the requirement. “We have an obligation to educate students well, and we have an obligation to send them into the world with skills and knowledge that will prepare them for opportunities after high school,’’ Chester said.

The failure rates, he said, might be a reflection of sub par science instruction in some high schools. Many school districts struggle to find qualified science teachers or are hamstrung by ancient science labs and other inadequate resources.