FALL RIVER — Some Fall River teachers and educators are calling for eliminating the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System as a high school graduation requirement, arguing alternative assessment methods will help to narrow down educational inequality and fit communities' current needs.

Advocates have filed a ballot question to replace the MCAS graduation requirement with an alternative assessment tool that allows school districts to determine whether students' competencies fit state standards.

"Having relative success on the MCAS is a convenient excuse for high tests for districts to mask or avoid the challenges they have," said Paul Tritter, the director of professional learning for the Boston Teachers Union.

He said that the current accountability system under MCAS requirements "intended to close achievement gaps has made them worse."

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