Board votes to skirt MCAS rule

By NICOLE SEQUINO, Staff Writer

Friday, January 31, 2003 -- EASTHAMPTON - School Committee members approved a resolution 4-3 after a long debate Thursday to grant Easthampton High School diplomas to students whether or not they pass the state-mandated MCAS test.

Students will still have to meet the school's other requirements for diplomas.

This was a relief to one parent, Julie Thomas of Concord Drive, who attended the meeting specifically to ask the committee to grant students diplomas regardless of the state's requirements.

"The military is willing to accept these students who don't pass the MCAS test," said Thomas. "If these students can protect and fight for us, why can't they receive a high school diploma? It doesn't make sense."

Committee Chairman Bruce A. Gordon and members Bruce Wilby, Owen T. Coughlin and Tammy Kuchyt supported the resolution. Committee members Joseph Raymond, Thomas Brown and Mayor Michael A. Tautznik did not.

Along with the resolution, committee members asked Superintendent John F. Cullinan to prepare a statement for their next meeting Feb. 13 requiring students to pursue passing the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System test. The statement will be added to the student handbook.

"I want students to realize that we still expect them to take the test and try hard," said Kuchyt.

Those who did not vote for the resolution said they feared that students would not take the MCAS test serious enough. "I think ... kids will know that they can get a diploma, and not try as hard on the test," said Raymond. "I feel we should wait and see what the state's going to do."

To show his reasoning in supporting the resolution, Gordon cited the state's Education Reform Act of 1993, which stated that students who meet their high school's standards may receive a diploma.

"To me, it's a question of timing and principle," said Gordon. "I don't think this is the right time for the state to mandate MCAS passage as a graduation requirement. It's too soon.

"And I don't think the state will act severely toward this district now, not with all the lawsuits out there," he added.

Gordon was referring to Cullinan's warning to committee members that the state could withhold local aid for the district if it disregards MCAS requirements. Those requirements include issuing high school diplomas only to students who pass the MCAS test, and issuing a "certificate of achievement" to those who do not.

"My concern as your superintendent is your loss of state aid," said Cullinan. "In tight budget times, this is a concern."

However, committee members were more concerned for students who, after three tries, did not pass the MCAS test and would not be eligible for a diploma by state law.

"I think it will do more damage than good," said Wilby.

EHS Principal Charles Kaufman said nine seniors have not yet passed the MCAS test. But 92 percent of students achieved at least a passing score of 220, he said.

"The MCAS test is a shifting target," said Kaufman, noting that the Department of Education constantly alters the test.

White Brook Middle School Principal Julianna Salzman said the MCAS test has improved education, but the state needs to provide the financial resources to help every student pass the challenging test.

"If we had enough funds to remediate every student, we could get everyone over the bar," said Salzman. "It's a matter of holding the state accountable."