The Board of Education has not yet decided what will constitute a passing score, although only English and math are likely to be included. With 40 percent of eighth-graders failing the 1999 math MCAS, for example, educators have a big preparation job ahead. Peyser and Education Commissioner David Driscoll said they believe there is enough time to prepare the current crop of ninth-graders. Officials with the DOE warned that the two years of results should not be compared. Trends in performance, they say, can only be shown with three years of data or more.
Critics say it's a mistake to use the exam to grade schools and students.
Judy Riess, mother of a Melrose ninth-grader who boycotted some sections of the test last year, said student success should not be hinged to the results of one test. If you have any questions, comments or feedback, please send us e-mail . All rights reserved.