MCAS supporters launch ad blitz against Ballot Question 2

Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald

MCAS supporters launched a new front in the legislative battle over the standardized testing high school graduation requirement this week — releasing two new ads featuring a parent and teacher.

“Holding high standards is essential to what we do,” Revere High School teacher James Conway says in one 30-second ad. “But now an effort to undermine our education standard is threatening that.”

The ad rollout, under the slogan “Protect Our Kids’ Future,” encourages residents to vote no on Ballot Question 2. The ballot question, which is backed by the Massachusetts Teachers Association and will appear of the November general election ballot, would remove the statewide high school graduation requirement to pass the 10th grade MCAS standardized test. The test would remain as an assessment tool.

The MTA and other opponents of the standard have argued the testing requirement disproportionately harms and holds back marginalized students, including low income, special education and English language learner students. The question backers delivered the highest number of signatures this ballot initiative cycle to secure a spot on the general election ballot in June.

Proponents of the exam, including parent and business groups under the Committee to Preserve Educational Standards for K-12 Students, have argued the question does not offer a uniform alternative standard and will lower education standards. The Committee promised a “vigorous campaign” against the question after it moved towards the ballot in May.

Backers of the ad campaign organized on Jan. 26 under the “Committee to Preserve Educational Standards for K-12 Students” and changed their name to “Protect Our Kids’ Future: Vote No on 2” on July 18, according to OCPF filings. The ads reportedly cost the organization $250,000. Donors listed on the ads include the organization Education Reform Now and several private individuals.

The ad rollout, under the slogan “Protect Our Kids’ Future,” encourages residents to vote no on Ballot Question 2. The ballot question, which is backed by the Massachusetts Teachers Association and will appear of the November general election ballot, would remove the statewide high school graduation requirement to pass the 10th grade MCAS standardized test. The test would remain as an assessment tool.

The MTA and other opponents of the standard have argued the testing requirement disproportionately harms and holds back marginalized students, including low income, special education and English language learner students. The question backers delivered the highest number of signatures this ballot initiative cycle to secure a spot on the general election ballot in June.

Proponents of the exam, including parent and business groups under the Committee to Preserve Educational Standards for K-12 Students, have argued the question does not offer a uniform alternative standard and will lower education standards. The Committee promised a “vigorous campaign” against the question after it moved towards the ballot in May.

Backers of the ad campaign organized on Jan. 26 under the “Committee to Preserve Educational Standards for K-12 Students” and changed their name to “Protect Our Kids’ Future: Vote No on 2” on July 18, according to OCPF filings. The ads reportedly cost the organization $250,000. Donors listed on the ads include the organization Education Reform Now and several private individuals.

The two ads feature Conway and Concord mother Jill Norton, who speaks to argument that the test harms students with special education needs.

“Standards are especially important for my son,” Norton says in a second ad. “He has learning differences, ADHD and dyslexia. Reducing the expectations for him is actually harmful. If the students don’t get what they need in their educational settings now, they’re going to graduate from high school without having the skills they need to be successful in jobs, in college.”

A manager for the campaign Brian Wynne, president of Opinion Diagnostics, told State House News the ads are meant to target voters with a “very simple argument” about dropping education standards and aims to “make sure they understand the full implication.”