The campaign that pushed to eliminate MCAS scores as a statewide graduation requirement via the ballot box last fall missed a deadline to report nearly $2.4 million in donations, a violation of state law.
Last November, the Massachusetts Teachers Union-backed effort was successful in passing Question 2 by a wide margin, forcing state education officials to chart a future where standardized tests scores don’t prevent any student from achieving a public high school diploma.
It was one of the most hotly-debated Massachusetts ballot questions last fall.
Last month, the state informed the “Committee for High Standards Not High Stakes” that it did not disclose a segment of donations by the required deadline.
In a June 24 letter, the Office of Campaign and Political Finance wrote it had determined the committee broke state law “by failing to timely disclose the receipt of contributions that should have been reported on a minimum of four separate late contribution reports leading up to the November 5, 2024 election.”
According to state law, in the two weeks prior to Election Day, campaigns are required to report last-minute donations within 72 hours of receiving them. The letter sent last month indicates the $2.4 million disclosed on Election Day (Nov. 5) — when voters were already casting their ballots — should have been reported on Oct. 24.
“The Committee’s failure to file the required late contribution reports frustrated the public’s interest in accurate and timely disclosure of campaign finance activity during the relevant period,” state officials wrote.
As a result, the committee was fined $4,000 by the state.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Teachers Association said the Committee for High Standards Not High Stakes amended its late October finance report when it realized it did not include some contributions.
“The amended filing was subject to a fine for being late,” the spokesperson said. “The committee paid the fine.”
The state of MCAS scores
State education officials are currently assessing what a future requirement may look like to ensure graduates are demonstrating learning and readiness for college, careers and civic life. A survey for the public and community listening sessions held in Taunton, Worcester, Somerville, Holyoke and Barnstable wrapped up in June.
Until the state develops a new statewide requirement, school districts are resorting to local graduation standards and competency determinations set by school committees.
Controversial guidance previously issued by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said school districts can still use MCAS scores as part of their local graduation requirements. The leaders of the Massachusetts Teachers Association said the guidance circumvented the intention of the ballot question and, ultimately, the will of the voters.
Similarly, the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education recently approved the “limited use” of MCAS scores to determine if students are satisfying the competency determination for a high school diploma, also drawing blowback from the state teachers union.
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