What’s next for MCAS and psychedelics: Opinion writers’ questions from polls – The Boston Globe

In Massachusetts, a veteran-focused bill signed into law in August created a task force to study the benefits of alternative therapies, such as psilocybin, in treating veterans’ mental health issues. The commission is charged with making recommendations on the provision of psychedelic therapy to treat veterans. Its work continues.

Ideally, the commission’s recommendations would guide the Legislature on whether to develop a psychedelic treatment plan for veterans and what a safe, responsible model might look like. The Legislature can then consider the issue with input from experts and stakeholders – often a more balanced way to decide on an issue than having voters approve a ballot question written by a panel of advocacy. If the treatment works for veterans, it can always be extended to other groups.

Meanwhile, physicians should be aware that some patients may be using psychedelics illegally and should be prepared to have an honest discussion about the potential benefits and risks. of these drugs, and what interactions there may be between the patient’s medical condition or prescription and psychiatric medications.

Now that Question 2 has passed, expect acrimony aplety in the coming months. Here’s why: Question 2 completes the MCAS test as a requirement for high school graduation but does not address the more widely recognized need for how to ensure that students achieve academic abilities that go beyond trust. districts or schools.

In fact, it’s an unconventional approach that Massachusetts took before the state’s landmark 1993 Education Reform Act, and at the time, many students were graduating without the knowledge they needed to be successful at work or college.

From the legislative leadership to the Healey administration, there is an awareness that going back to the old days and old ways won’t be enough, especially since Massachusetts doesn’t have any state-mandated courses that students must take. to complete them to obtain degrees.

Speaker of the House Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka have already addressed the issue publicly, drawing criticism from the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the organization that sponsored Question 2. “The State House is not Ron Mariano’s or Karen Spilka’s house. — the speaker and the President of the Senate should refuse to cross the will of the people, “said MTA President Max Page in one of the confrontational and tone-deaf statements he seems to enjoy giving.

But the state’s largest teachers union should expect no less. In addition, it financed an expensive and misleading campaign about the MCAS, whose ads repeatedly suggested that Question 2 would “revolutionize” the letter test. There was no way to take a place in the election question, which would be difficult to follow the constitution. The MTA has yet to propose a viable replacement plan.

Also in question is what role Governor Maura Healey might play in the effort to create a new statewide graduation requirement. But Healey would have to rely more on that effort to succeed. Although the governor opposed Question 2 in many public statements, he did not campaign vigorously against it. And since Question 2’s effort was so underfunded compared to the teachers union campaign, that’s sad.

Senator Jason Lewis, the Senate chairman of the Legislature’s joint education committee and the sponsor of Question 2, spoke about requiring all or nearly all students to take MassCore, which which is the country’s higher education, as a requirement for obtaining degrees.

Two problems: For starters, half of Massachusetts high schools don’t offer all the courses recommended by MassCore. Second, even if everyone were to start offering those courses, that does not guarantee that they would be taught rigorously or that students would have a realistic, standard level of achievement.

Massachusetts citizens must understand that the ballot question is a very sharp instrument, especially when used as a wrecking ball to topple a carefully constructed system. Real change will take time to be agreed upon. That effort will be left to Beacon Hill policymakers, who will need the time and freedom to do the work needed here.

The decisive victory for Question 2 on the ballot — ending the MCAS test as a high school graduation requirement — solidified the Massachusetts Teachers Association’s position as a political force to be reckoned with. A nationwide union of 117,000 members who strongly advocated for this project was also instrumental in passing the million mark by 2022 and defeated the school expansion ballot question in 2016. Like the movement or not, it’s a great show of power. At a time when citizens have lost faith in many basic institutions, including “education” in general, it seems that voters are still trusting individual teachers.

The victory should stop plans announced by phone by legislative leaders to change or repeal the new law. In October, House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka, who opposed repealing the MCAS requirement, told reporters at the State House that they reserved their right to change other parts of the plan. you can pass. “We’ll see how big the margin is,” Mariano said.

At least in Mariano’s home state of Quincy, the margin (according to the latest Associated Press count) was 57 percent to 43, double the margin of 14 percent. points that would be considered important in many political campaigns. Spilka is from Ashland, which won the question by a margin of 54-45. Framingham, the largest city in his state, approved the question by 16 percent details.

Most of us remember when the property tax cut Proposition 2½ was passed in 1980. – instead of considering the will of the voters. Question 2 passed Tuesday by a slightly larger margin than Proposition 2½.

Indeed, the purpose of voting is a law that can be changed by passing another law, but the Legislature of the country already has a low status with the voters. It would be wise for State House leaders to work with the MTA on implementing the new law rather than ignoring the message the voters are sending.