Skip to content
  • About Us
  • News & Insights
  • Member Directory
  • Job Board
  • Sign In
  • Join
Boston Chamber
  • Events
        • Events

          • Overview
          • Events Calendar
          • Chamber Awards
        • ...
          Pacesetters
          Doing Business with Boston Planning and Development Agency

          Join us for our installment of the Pacesetters Doing Business series featuring Boston Planning and Development Agency on December 7, 2023.

          12/07/2023

          3:00pm - 4:00pm

          Virtual

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Women's Network
          Women’s Network | Jenny Holaday, Encore Boston Harbor

          Jenny Holaday will share her journey into leadership as President of Encore Boston Harbor and first woman to run a casino in Massachusetts.

          12/13/2023

          2:00pm - 4:00pm

          Encore Boston Harbor

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          BIMA
          2023 BIMA Gala

          Step into Winter Wonderland at our BIMA Holiday Gala. Gather your digital media and marketing peers for a night of networking and entertainment.

          12/14/2023

          6:30pm - 9:30pm

          InterContinental Boston

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Learning & Development
        • Learning & Development

          • Overview
          • Call for Nominations
          • Resources
        • EQ to Elevate Workplace Well-being

          Designed for mid-level managers and supervisors, this new certificate program addresses workplace well-being through unique, innovative, and actionable methods.

          Read More
          Transformational DEI Certificate

          Join our Transformational DEI Certificate! Our comprehensive learning & development offerings are designed to connect and grow strong leaders who lead both inside and out of the office.

          Read More
          Women’s Leadership Program

          Our Women’s Leadership Program enables you to take your leadership to the next level by arming you with the most in-demand leadership toolkit.

          Read More
          Boston’s Future Leaders

          Our Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL) program provides emerging leaders with a socially conscious and civically engaged leadership toolkit, as well as the opportunity to apply their knowledge through experiential assignments.

          Read More
  • Economic Inclusion
        • Economic Inclusion

          • Overview
          • Economic Inclusion Committee
          • Fierce Urgency of Now Festival
          • Pacesetters
          • Resources
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Fierce Urgency of Now Festival
          2023 Fierce Urgency of Now Festival

          The Fierce Urgency of Now Festival brings Boston’s diverse young professionals together with business leaders, organizations and their peers to build connection, advance careers and ignite positive change.

          09/12/2023 -

          09/16/2023

          Greater Boston

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Policy & Impact
        • Policy & Impact

          • Overview
          • Leadership Councils
          • Amicus Advisory Board
        • GET INVOLVED IN OUR POLICY FOCUS AREAS

          Business Climate
          Read More
          Climate & Energy
          Read More
          Health Care
          Read More
          Housing & Development
          Read More
          Talent
          Read More
          Transportation
          Read More
  • Our Networks
        • GBCC’s Networks

          • Overview
        • OUR NETWORKS

          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          Read More
          BIMA

          BIMA (the Boston Interactive Media Association) serves a vibrant community of like-minded professionals from agencies, brands, publishers, and ad-tech companies with business interests in the New England market.

          Read More
          Women’s Network

          For nearly 30 years, the Chamber’s Women’s Network has connected female professionals of all background and career levels. Today, our Women’s Network is the largest in New England, strengthening the professional networks of women each year.

          Read More
          Massachusetts Apprentice Network

          The Massachusetts Apprentice Network convenes employers, training providers, and talent sources interested in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs in occupations across industries and statewide in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and more.

          Read More
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          Read More
          Small Business

          We support small business through public policy initiatives, events designed to connect small businesses in Greater Boston to their peers and established business leaders, professional development offerings, and free small business advising.

          Read More
  • Membership
        • Membership

          • Overview
          • Membership Benefits
          • Membership Levels
          • Member Stories
          • Request a Meeting
          • Join Today
        • Our Impact
        • About Us
          Our Impact

          Explore our mission and values to better understand how we are leading the business community forward.

        • Membership Directory
        • Membership Directory
          Not sure if you’re a member?

          Our member directory is your resource to discover, connect, and engage with Boston’s businesses from every industry and sector.

        • For our members

          • Member Resources
          • Member Deals
          • Sponsorship Opportunities
          • Connect with your Member Services Rep
          • Sign In
  • join
Bostonchamber
Boston Chamber
  • Events
        • Events

          • Overview
          • Events Calendar
          • Chamber Awards
        • ...
          Pacesetters
          Doing Business with Boston Planning and Development Agency

          Join us for our installment of the Pacesetters Doing Business series featuring Boston Planning and Development Agency on December 7, 2023.

          12/07/2023

          3:00pm - 4:00pm

          Virtual

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Women's Network
          Women’s Network | Jenny Holaday, Encore Boston Harbor

          Jenny Holaday will share her journey into leadership as President of Encore Boston Harbor and first woman to run a casino in Massachusetts.

          12/13/2023

          2:00pm - 4:00pm

          Encore Boston Harbor

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          BIMA
          2023 BIMA Gala

          Step into Winter Wonderland at our BIMA Holiday Gala. Gather your digital media and marketing peers for a night of networking and entertainment.

          12/14/2023

          6:30pm - 9:30pm

          InterContinental Boston

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Learning & Development
        • Learning & Development

          • Overview
          • Call for Nominations
          • Resources
        • EQ to Elevate Workplace Well-being

          Designed for mid-level managers and supervisors, this new certificate program addresses workplace well-being through unique, innovative, and actionable methods.

          Read More
          Transformational DEI Certificate

          Join our Transformational DEI Certificate! Our comprehensive learning & development offerings are designed to connect and grow strong leaders who lead both inside and out of the office.

          Read More
          Women’s Leadership Program

          Our Women’s Leadership Program enables you to take your leadership to the next level by arming you with the most in-demand leadership toolkit.

          Read More
          Boston’s Future Leaders

          Our Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL) program provides emerging leaders with a socially conscious and civically engaged leadership toolkit, as well as the opportunity to apply their knowledge through experiential assignments.

          Read More
  • Economic Inclusion
        • Economic Inclusion

          • Overview
          • Economic Inclusion Committee
          • Fierce Urgency of Now Festival
          • Pacesetters
          • Resources
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Fierce Urgency of Now Festival
          2023 Fierce Urgency of Now Festival

          The Fierce Urgency of Now Festival brings Boston’s diverse young professionals together with business leaders, organizations and their peers to build connection, advance careers and ignite positive change.

          09/12/2023 -

          09/16/2023

          Greater Boston

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Policy & Impact
        • Policy & Impact

          • Overview
          • Leadership Councils
          • Amicus Advisory Board
        • GET INVOLVED IN OUR POLICY FOCUS AREAS

          Business Climate
          Read More
          Climate & Energy
          Read More
          Health Care
          Read More
          Housing & Development
          Read More
          Talent
          Read More
          Transportation
          Read More
  • Our Networks
        • GBCC’s Networks

          • Overview
        • OUR NETWORKS

          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          Read More
          BIMA

          BIMA (the Boston Interactive Media Association) serves a vibrant community of like-minded professionals from agencies, brands, publishers, and ad-tech companies with business interests in the New England market.

          Read More
          Women’s Network

          For nearly 30 years, the Chamber’s Women’s Network has connected female professionals of all background and career levels. Today, our Women’s Network is the largest in New England, strengthening the professional networks of women each year.

          Read More
          Massachusetts Apprentice Network

          The Massachusetts Apprentice Network convenes employers, training providers, and talent sources interested in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs in occupations across industries and statewide in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and more.

          Read More
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          Read More
          Small Business

          We support small business through public policy initiatives, events designed to connect small businesses in Greater Boston to their peers and established business leaders, professional development offerings, and free small business advising.

          Read More
  • Membership
        • Membership

          • Overview
          • Membership Benefits
          • Membership Levels
          • Member Stories
          • Request a Meeting
          • Join Today
        • Our Impact
        • About Us
          Our Impact

          Explore our mission and values to better understand how we are leading the business community forward.

        • Membership Directory
        • Membership Directory
          Not sure if you’re a member?

          Our member directory is your resource to discover, connect, and engage with Boston’s businesses from every industry and sector.

        • For our members

          • Member Resources
          • Member Deals
          • Sponsorship Opportunities
          • Connect with your Member Services Rep
          • Sign In
  • join
  • About Us
  • News & Insights
  • Member Directory
  • Job Board
  • Sign In
  • Join

Chamber Opposes the Elimination of MCAS

October 4, 2023

 

Representative Denise Garlick, House
Chair Joint Committee on Education
State House, Room 473G
Boston, MA 02133
Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair
Joint Committee on Education
State House, Room 511-B
Boston, MA 02133

 

Dear Chair Garlick and Chair Lewis,

On behalf of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and our 1,200 members, I write to oppose bills H.495 and S.246 because they will damage the Commonwealth’s nation leading public education system and dismantle the state’s ability to hold districts accountable to students and their families. These bills will lower education standards and strip the state of necessary tools to intervene and support school districts so all children receive a high quality education.

In 1993 and again in 2019, the business community supported substantial increases in funding for our schools in conjunction with high standards for student achievement and a transparent system for measuring progress and results. In 2019, the Chamber supported changes to the state’s funding formula only if companion accountability measures were adopted. Importantly, the combination of funding and transparent accountability results in the highest quality education in the country, a key competitive advantage.

We therefore strongly oppose eliminating MCAS as a graduation requirement. Without regular assessments measuring student outcomes in key areas of learning, the state and districts alike will lose vital information about how to prioritize resources so all students have every opportunity to succeed in their education.

Allowing each district to decide what a diploma means will also result in lower expectations for far too many students who will then graduate without the knowledge and skills they need for college and career success. Instead of doing away with the graduation standard, a true commitment to equity requires we focus squarely on helping all students meet it.

MCAS also shines a light on racial and socio-economic achievement gaps that would otherwise remain hidden and identifies school districts that need improvement and intervention. The information that MCAS provides is integral to understanding if the state is meeting its constitutional obligation to provide every student in the Commonwealth with an excellent education. We do not support unnecessary efforts to spend time and resources on a special commission charged with developing an MCAS replacement.

Finally, to meet its constitutional responsibility to assure an excellent and equitable public education for all students, the state needs authority to intervene on behalf of students when schools and districts are chronically underperforming. We oppose provisions that strip the state of that ability.

The Chamber opposes H.495 and S.246 and urges the Committee to reject efforts that will negatively impact the state’s leadership position in providing high quality education for all students.

Sincerely,

James E. Rooney President and CEO

 

Download the letter

265 Franklin Street
Suite 1701
Boston, MA 02110
Get Directions
Contact us
  • Events
  • Learning & Development
  • Economic Inclusion
  • Policy & Impact
  • Our Networks
  • Membership
  • join
  • About Us
  • News & Insights
  • Member Directory
  • Job Board
  • Sign In
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

© 2022 Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved.

Popular Resources

  • News & Insights  
  • Member Resources  
  • Small Business  
Close