Boston Globe

February 22, 2003

As Scot Lehigh writes, the aggregate MCAS results do appear to belie
anti-MCAS arguments, but that's precisely the problem with the MCAS.
Contrary to the claim of Lehigh and other proponents, who tout the MCAS as
"shining a light" on neglected educational problems, the data is being used
to hide our continuing failure to serve all students well.

Hidden in the 81% aggregate pass rate is the fact that half of Hispanic
students statewide, for example, continue to fail, as do 45% of special
needs students, including high-functioning learning disabled students who
who otherwise go to competitive colleges.

It's hard to tell if Mr. Lehigh has spoken to many students in schools where
more than half of the students continue to fail, because he doesn't mention
any individual students. If he had come to the State House yesterday, he
would have had the chance to hear and perhaps meet some articulate,
compelling, quite serious students who seek a delay in the requirement until
their educational resources approximate those in the suburbs, where most
students are passing.

If aggregate scores are all that matter, Lehigh's right, things seem rosy.
But if we claim to care about individual students, particularly low-income,
minority, English learners and special needs, then this policy is a
disgrace.

David Mirabella

Salem, MA