The Impact of High Stakes Standardized Testing on High and Low Achieving School Districts: The Case of the MCAS

Authors

Robert J. Havdala, Tufts UniversityFollow

Abstract

Ever since the passage of No Child Left Behind in 2002, high stakes testing has been at the forefront of education debate. Though these reforms are frequently meant to help underperforming schools, there may be unintended effects on high performing districts. This study examines the impact of the Massachusetts high stakes testing scheme (MCAS) by analyzing high school dropout rates, future plans of graduating seniors, and SAT results. I find evidence that high stakes accountability has had an insignificant, if not relatively negative, impact on low achieving districts and that Massachusetts students have not improved compared to national trends.

Recommended Citation

Havdala, Robert J. (2010) "The Impact of High Stakes Standardized Testing on High and Low Achieving School Districts: The Case of the MCAS," Undergraduate Economic Review: Vol. 6: Iss. 1, Article 8.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/uer/vol6/iss1/8