Testimony, September 9, 2003
Charles W. Hetzel, Ph.D. Professor of Education
 

"In my role as a professor of education I have the opportunity to work with teachers K-8 every day I go to work.  Without question, the overemphasis on standardized testing, and the MCAS in particular, has warped the curriculum in directions that can actually reduce effective teaching. When teachers see this sort of thing happen they feel demoralized and disempowered." 

While there is much in education reform to be proud of such as the development of Curriculum Frameworks and the creation of more opportunities for community involvement in the schools, the downside has been the misuse of standard test scores, the manipulation of results, pass score manipulation by politicians and over reliance on one instrument (the MCAS) over more authentic and personalized evaluations and assessments that ought to be at the core of academic decision making.

Many principals, teachers, and professors are afraid to be seen as anti-MCAS for fear that they will be seen as anti-education.  This climate is fostered by the rankings of our state education officials and the press.

In my opinion, most educators could put up with some reasonable level of quality control monitoring but the MCAS is being used to determine everything from where we put the focus in Kindergarten on up to who gets to graduate.  Neither the Education Reform Act nor any knowledgeable educator or parent would
rest this much power in one anonymous test graded from afar.  We need to take back our schools and restore local control.  This would provide proper balance between the State and the classroom teacher, parent and principal."

Our local educators and Boards of Education should determine what each child needs and who graduates.  The State should only provide assistance and guidance in insuring that sound processes are used in making these decisions. In this case the State itself is guilty of promoting unsound practices and our children and teachers are suffering.

Sincerely,


Charles W. Hetzel, Ph.D.
Professor of Education
507 Mechanic Street
Fitchburg, Ma. 01420

My letter reflects my own personal and professional opinion and does not necessarily reflect the view point of any institution.