Boston, MA - The Massachusetts Republican Party is firmly urging voters to reject Question 2 on the November ballot, which seeks to eliminate the MCAS graduation requirement. Doing so would undermine the very progress and high standards that have positioned Massachusetts’ education system as one of the best in the country.

The 2024 MCAS results reveal declines, particularly in English Language Arts, with younger students experiencing the most significant drops in performance. Despite these troubling trends, the Massachusetts Teachers’ Union is advocating for the removal of MCAS as a graduation requirement, dismissing it as merely a “snapshot” of school performance. This dismissive stance overlooks the fact that MCAS has long been a critical tool in setting clear expectations for students and educators alike, ensuring that schools uphold the rigorous standards for which our state is known for.

“Question 2 is a step in the wrong direction,” said Amy Carnevale, MassGOP Chairwoman. “Rather than lowering our expectations, we should be working to restore and raise the standards that have made Massachusetts a leader in education. Removing the MCAS requirement diminishes the incentive for schools to meet high standards, which will only further harm student achievement.”

In addition to the threat it poses to academic excellence, Question 2 could exacerbate the state’s ongoing migrant crisis. By lowering education standards, it opens the door to the issuance of high school diplomas to migrant children, even if they have not mastered fundamental skills in English, math, or science. The implications of this are far-reaching, both for the quality of education and the integration of migrant children into American society.

“Massachusetts already has a right-to-shelter law, and if Question 2 passes, we’ll essentially create a right-to-a-diploma law,” Carnevale added. “Without the MCAS requirement, migrants won’t be held to the same high standards that have made our schools great. This does a disservice to everyone involved—migrant children included-by setting them up for failure in the long run.”

The MassGOP stands firm in its belief that every child in Massachusetts deserves a high-quality education that prepares them for success. Weakening standards by removing the MCAS graduation requirement will only hinder that mission. For these reasons, the MassGOP strongly encourages a No vote on Question 2.