COMMUNITIES SHOULD DEFY MCAS MANDATE

GLOBE NORTH

January 12, 2003

Brenda Buote's article on the difficult choices facing districts opposed to
the MCAS graduation requirement ("Schools face MCAS choice: Defy or
comply," Jan. 5) highlights the moral dilemma faced by superintendents like
Salem's Herb Levine. Buote quotes Levine saying, "I really believe that 50
years from now, we will look upon those who support the MCAS requirement as
we now look upon cavemen. But will we award diplomas to students who fail
the test? I don't know."


Levine hits upon a key consideration for all districts in this dismal
fiscal climate when he says: "Of course, given the state's poor fiscal
condition, we could abide by the graduation requirement and still get no
money."


The state is already cutting critical funding for programs such as special
education. More cuts are certain, leaving districts facing the prospect of
upholding a graduation requirement they oppose while dealing with crippling
cuts. What then will be the reaction of communities to the cutting of vital
programs while districts continue to fulfill onerous MCAS requirements?


Meanwhile, a national study has found high-stakes testing does not improve
and may harm academic achievement while increasing dropout rates. In light
of the Arizona State study's findings, it's worth asking if an MCAS diploma
means something more or something less than the diplomas many districts
have been awarding students for years.


The best choice for districts facing these dilemmas is unmentioned in the
article: The option of building on the consensus reached at the
Massachusetts Association of School Committees convention, which voted,
97-27, in favor of local districts' right to determine who gets a diploma.
To counter the risk of retribution, these communities could now act in
concert to defy the "caveman" mandate. It's the only palatable option I can
see on the unappetizing menu before us.


LISA GUISBOND
Brookline Massachusetts Coalition for Authentic Reform in Education
organizer