Beacon Hill Debate On Standardized Testing

Critics of standardized testing are pushing a handful of bills they say are aimed at reducing the state's reliance on the exams as graduation requirements.

One bill would allow the state to continue administering MCAS tests, but would create a three-year moratorium on using the test as a graduation requirement.

Another would bar schools from denying diplomas to students who have met all requirements other than passing the test.

The push comes amid an ongoing debate about whether Massachusetts should keep MCAS, adopt the PARCC exam _ which is aligned with federal Common Core standards _ or combine the two.

Gov. Charlie Baker says the state should never go back to pre-MCAS days.

Supporters of the bills note President Barack Obama has called for capping standardized testing at 2 percent of classroom time. (Associated Press)