Board set to vote on MCAS alternative
A top education aide to Gov. Deval Patrick is recommending that the state replace its own math and English public education standards with new proposed federal guidelines.
The change could lead to dropping the MCAS tests in those subject areas, prompting Republican gubernatorial challenger Charles Baker to accuse Patrick of giving in to teachers unions who endorsed his re-election bid but oppose the state tests.
Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester said in a memo yesterday "the advantages of adopting the Common Core Standards outweigh the disadvantages." He said they include a focus on reading and writing across a curriculum, and pay special attention to speaking, listening and vocabulary.
The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is slated to vote on the recommendation next Wednesday.
