Hearing the stories from my mom talking of kids who have incredible anxiety over this test all because English isn't their first language is absolutely heart-breaking. The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) can be particularly challenging for English Language Learner (ELL) students, who face additional stress and barriers due to language proficiency issues. These students often struggle not because they lack knowledge or intelligence, but because they are still mastering the English language.

According to a report by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, ELL students consistently score lower on standardized tests compared to their native English-speaking peers. This disparity highlights the need for a more inclusive testing format that accommodates these students' unique needs.

We urge the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to revise the MCAS format so that ELL students can comfortably answer questions without fearing linguistic errors. By making these changes, we can ensure a fairer assessment system that truly reflects all students' abilities.

Please sign this petition to support a more equitable education system for our ELL students!