When and where is it?

Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 10 a.m. (sign-up begins at 9:30 a.m.) in the Gardner Auditorium at the State House. Enter in the side door to the right of the main entrance (Bowdoin Street) of the State House, go through security and then go down one flight of stairs or take the elevator to GA.   

Why is it important to come?

This is the ONLY chance to testify to legislators about the MCAS during this two-year legislative session. It’s frustrating and maddening that they chose such an inconvenient time and gave us so little notice, but it’s one of the many things over which we have no control. It remains important that legislators hear from as many people as possible who are not persuaded that everything’s fine simply because MCAS pass rates appear to be improving.

What should I say if I testify in person or submit written testimony?

Share your personal experiences, as a parent, student, teacher or citizen, with the MCAS. Legislators need to know that there are still many of us who are not lulled by the DOE’s positive spin and manipulation of MCAS results (see today’s Globe). They need to hear that we can see the negative results of the overemphasis on the MCAS on our children, our classrooms and our schools. They need to hear that we understand what goes into providing children with excellent educations, and MCAS is not it. If you wish, you can speak in favor of one or more pending bills, including:

* S257 (Sen. Cynthia CREEM) This is the most comprehensive bill. The MTA, which submitted this bill, worked with CARE to develop it. It calls for eliminating the use of the MCAS as a graduation requirement and putting in place a comprehensive assessment system using multiple measures, based on CARE’s alternative assessment proposal.

* H3487 (Rep. Ruth BALSER) ELIMINATES MCAS AS A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT.

* H1250 This is the measure filed by Wellesley Rep. Alice Peisch, which would have allowed local districts to grant to diplomas to special needs students who fail MCAS but meet other graduation requirements. It passed 117-37 in the House during the budget debate. The Senate then unanimously passed a much narrower measure that would have reformed the appeals process for special needs students. The narrower senate measure was vetoed by Gov. Romney and prevented from coming to an override vote by leadership.  It is still appropriate to call for an override of

section 635 at the hearing tomorrow. 

A significant difference between these hearings and the last is this measure, which most legislators support, including Senator Antonioni, the senate chair of the committee. Last time, there was little support among committee members for any change in MCAS. This measure reforming the MCAS appeals process for special ed students is the one piece of legislation that we know most legislators favor passing right now, so if you would like to speak for something with a chance of passage, this is it.

  If you fear that you will sound ignorant of the details of these bills, don’t worry. You don’t need to discuss them in detail or at all, if you don’t want to. It is highly unlikely that you will be quizzed on such details by committee members, or indeed that they will ask you anything at all. Just hope that they’re listening and awake!

How long will the hearings last?
Based on past experience, the hearing is likely to go for several hours.  The public does not get to speak until after "administration officials" speak. After the bigwigs, they are supposed to take testimony on a first come, first served basis, based on the sign-in sheet. Be prepared for a long day or come after noon.  Testimony is limited to 3 minutes, which is about 450 words, or less than one side of an 8 ½ by 11 inch piece of paper. Many people simply read their prepared testimony.  

Please understand that we have no control, but can only give you our best guess based on the past. You can certainly sign up to speak and then, if you are unable to wait, leave your written testimony with the committee.  

You can call the following cell phone numbers at any point during the day to see how much longer the hearing will go if you think you might be able to come.  Even if you choose not to testify, your presence is important!  You may also submit written testimony.

Jackie King:  617-470-9028
Marilyn Segal:  781-608-8627
Stephanie Wade:  617-407-4824

What can I do if I can’t come to testify?

You can submit written testimony. The best way to send written testimony to the Education committee is to send it to the Chairs: Representative Marie St. Fleur and Senator Robert Antonioni

and address it to them and the members of the Committee on Education, Arts, and Humanities, Room 473G (St. Fleur) or Room 109E (Antonioni)

The fax number in 473G is 617-722-2817. The phone 617-722-2070. The phone in 109E is 617-722-1230.

You can and are strongly encouraged to call your legislators, encouraging them to come to the hearings and letting them know your views on the MCAS. Because of the timing and late notice, many legislators don’t even know about the hearings.

If you don’t know who your legislators are, you can find out by going to this web site: www.wheredoivotema.com (just type in your address and you will get the name of your senator and rep.)

If you have a question I didn’t answer, you can email me at lisa.guisbond@verizon.net, or call