When Massachusetts school students go back to class in a few weeks, they will do so without the mandate to wear a mask in order to curtail the spread of the coronavirus.
The Board of Education approved the measure which allows students the option to wear a mask if they so desire.
Students will also face additional pressure to pass the high stakes MCAS exam. The Board approved a measure that would raise the scores necessary in order to pass the test.
While many are praising the decision to life the mask mandate, they are less kind to the increase in scores needed to pass the test.
Officials at the Mass Teachers Association say increasing passing scores is the last thing you should do in these times which will see many kids back in class full time in the last two years.
They point to inner city and low-income students being further behind because they begin with less than others in more affluent communities.
And opponents of the increase in standards say that students something other than English as a first language will be even worse off.
The new standards apply to the Class of 2026.
(Photo Credit: John Baibak, WHYN News)