There have been ads running on television by those against Ballot Question 2 that are out and out lies. It is disheartening, disappointing, and infuriating that the people creating the ads are choosing to tell deliberate lies to try and get their way.

And it is equally disgusting that the media are happy to take their money and broadcast their lies. And these are folks who claim to be standing up for our children and their education. Some role models they are.

To be clear, Ballot Question 2 will end the use of the MCAS as a graduation requirement. The state standards are still in place (despite what the ad says) and students will still be taking the MCAS. Teachers will still be teaching to the state standards and students will be expected to meet them. Ballot Question 2 does not change that. The only thing that changes is that students do not have to pass the MCAS to get their diplomas. They do have to meet state standards and pass their classes, which are designed to teach those standards.

These opponents who claim to be supporting the education of our children are trying to win their argument by lying to the public, and the news media, sadly, is only too willing to spread that lie for a few dollars.

Maybe some day it will be illegal to tell obvious lies in advertising, and maybe some day the media will stand up and say no, we won’t help you to spread your lies for a few dollars. Until then, we have to call out those lies and make sure that the public has honest, accurate information to guide their votes. Vote yes on Ballot Question 2.

Doug Selwyn

Greenfield