MCAS in the news (5/20 - 5/25)

This week: - Boycotts continue, and several 10th graders told the press and their teachers that they know more about
pentagons than test-makers. 
- Harcourt's president told two newspapers that MCAS should not be used as the sole determinant for high school graduation, but by the time the Globe interviewed Harcourt's president, he was saying that multiple administrations of MCAS could constitute the requirement for "multiple measures." 
- And the Board of Ed changed the MCAS "failing" label for grade 3-8 students to "warning" to mixed reaction. 


Boston Globe, 5/23: Official tries to smooth MCAS flap
http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/143/metro/Official_tries_to_smooth_MCAS_flap-.shtml

The president of the company that writes and grades the state's tough MCAS exam tried yesterday to extinguish a firestorm
he ignited when he told Cape Cod high school students the test should not be used exclusively for graduation.....
.... Eugene T. Paslov, president of Harcourt Educational Measurement and a former educator, acknowledged that he said,
''When these tests are used exclusively for graduation, I think that's wrong'' to a group of Chatham High School students whose
tests the company lost last year. Paslov was in Chatham apologizing for losing the tests. 
But yesterday Paslov said he does not consider MCAS an exclusive measure of graduation because students get five times to
take it before they must pass it to graduate high school. 
' 'The testing industry recommends that you have multiple measures for high-stakes tests - meaning either that there are
additional tests or opportunities to take the same test multiple times,'' Paslov said. 
Having five chances to take the MCAS test ''are multiple measures as far as I'm concerned,'' he said. ''It is generally
wrong if it's just one time, one test.'' 
Harcourt Educational Measurement has a five-year, $71 million contract to write and score MCAS, which has divided
Massachusetts educators, policy makers and parents since it was introduced in 1998. 
State Commissioner of Education David P. Driscoll said that the incident was a ''misunderstanding'' and that Paslov has
since clarified his remarks.....


Metrowest Daily News, 5/23: Test creator contradicts state policy
http://www.townonline.com/14834638.htm

See also, Boston Herald, 5/23: MCAS words spark furor
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/local_regional/mcas05232001.htm

MCAS opponents cheered and supporters of the exam cringed yesterday after the president of the company holding the
$71 million MCAS contract said the high-stakes test should not be used as a graduation requirement.
In an interview with the Boston Herald, Harcourt Educational Measurement President Eugene Paslov said " reasonableness
" would require that student grades serve alongside scores on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System exam in
determining who graduates from high school.
" It is an industry standard that we recommend no single test be used for high-stakes purposes, " said Paslov, whose San
Antonio, Texas, company is in the second year of a five-year pact.
" They should be supplemented with other kinds of indicators. A certain degree of common sense, too. But a client can
choose to do what they want. " ....
.... Board of Education Chairman James A. Peyser disputed Paslov’s take on the state’s 4-year-old assessment system, which
is used to evaluate students and rate the performance of the state’s public schools.
" Obviously, their job is to provide a service, not make policy, " Peyser said. " No, we don’t need them on board. But the
thing that’s troubling about this is Harcourt has been a partner with the department in putting this system in place. They have
never expressed any reservation in the direction in which we are heading. " ....
.... " When these tests are used exclusively for graduation, I think that’s wrong, " Paslov told the Cape Cod Times.
Education Commissioner David P. Driscoll could not be reached for his reaction.
Asked to elaborate yesterday, Paslov said his remarks had been taken out of context, but quickly said, " No single
instrument should be used exclusively in high-stakes testing. " 
When presented with the scenario of a straight " A " student failing the MCAS and being denied a diploma, Paslov said, "
Reasonableness would dictate that you take into consideration grades, the youngster’s grades. " ...
.... Peyser, quoting from a position paper of the American Educational Research Association, said the state met or was trying
to meet all of the association’s major recommendations.
He said the state complies with the recommendations that " students must be afforded multiple opportunities to pass the test
" and receive remediation services if they fail the exam....


Boston Globe, 5/23: Warning taken on MCAS
http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/143/metro/_Warning_taken_on_MCAS-.shtml

Hoping to take the sting out of some test results, students in grades 4 through 8 who do not pass the Massachusetts
Comprehensive Assessment System exam will get a ''warning.''...
.... Education Commissioner David P. Driscoll said he hopes changing the MCAS category will protect young egos from being
bruised, just as the ''no-cut'' policies protect young students from being rejected by sports programs. 
''For younger children, it makes sense to have another kind of label,'' he said.''There are people who say this is about
political correctness ... but young children need to be encouraged.''


Springfield Union News, 5/23: MCAS failure not an option; poor test performance to receive 'warning' tag
http://www.masslive.com/news/unionnews/index.ssf?/news/pstories/ae523war.html

Students falling short of the cutoff score to pass the state exams will instead earn a "warning" tag, the Board of Education
decided yesterday....
.... Education Commissioner David P. Driscoll acknowledged that young children may have difficulty understanding scores as
evaluations of test performance, and not of them. "That's a heck of a distinction to make for a 9- or 10-year-old," he said. 
James A. Peyser, chairman of the nine-member board, agreed and emphasized that the change is in name only. "This is not
an attempt here to dilute the standards, as we are softening the language," he said....
.... The name change came a day after the president of Harcourt Educational Measurement, which distributes and grades the
MCAS exams, said the standardized tests should not be used as a requirement for high school graduation. 
"When these tests are used exclusively for graduation, I think that's wrong," Eugene Paslov, a former English teacher who
now runs Harcourt Educational Measurement, told The Cape Cod Times on Monday....
.... The monthly meeting of the Board of Education yesterday also included discussion about the latest schools deferred for
review under the School and District Accountability program. 
Twelve schools were notified this year that they would be reviewed because of their low and declining MCAS results. Of
those, four showed enough progress to avoid getting the "under-performing" designation. 
Eight — including Rebecca M. Johnson School in Springfield — were given six more months before a determination.
Teresa E. Regina, the acting Springfield superintendent, announced a few weeks ago that the middle school grades in the K-8
school will be moved to Van Sickle Middle School in the fall as a way to spur needed changes.....


Worcester Telegram, 5/23: Students boycott MCAS test
http://www.telegram.com/news/page_one/boycott.html

As they planned, nine sophomores at the Accelerated Learning Laboratory school yesterday boycotted the history and
social studies portions of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System test.“They were committed to making a
point,” Principal Carol A. Shilinsky said.....
.... MCAS advocates believe the overall test is a useful tool in assessing and improving educational standards.
But many critics, including the protesting ALL school students, believe the test puts too much emphasis on scores and stifles
creativity. They charge that test preparation wastes valuable class time and adds nothing to true educational reform....
....The students plan to continue the fight against MCAS testing and may send a letter to Gov. Jane M. Swift citing their
concerns, Ms. Shilinsky said.“They do feel that people should be held accountable,” said Ms. Shilinsky, who described the
protesting students as “good, bright kids.”....


Daily Hampshire Gazette, 5/23: MCAS muddle spurs dialogue
http://www.gazettenet.com/05232001/schools/2322.htm

In gymnasium rafters where traditionally pennants have touted athletic feats, Sunderland Elementary School proudly flies
banners proclaiming its MCAS success. Sunderland is one of 10 schools statewide recognized for achieving beyond its
expectations on the test. 
A few miles away, at Leverett Elementary School, some 11 of 23 fourth-graders boycotted the test. Their teacher, whose
own seventh grade son boycotted the test, is a vocal MCAS critic....
.....In Mount Greylock Regional School District, Superintendent William Ballen said discussion is under way between school
officials and the Chamber of Commerce to develop a unified stance on the MCAS. The aim, Ballen said, is to avoid the
situation in some eastern Massachusetts communities, where the Chamber of Commerce has adopted a pro-MCAS position at
odds with the views of local educators. 
John Coull, president of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce, said representatives of some Massachusetts chambers
approached his group seeking support for their pro-MCAS position. The Amherst chamber declined. "We just didn't feel we
could join this movement to support the MCAS and haven't developed an alternative," Coull said. 
Coull said working on a consensus with local school committees "makes the most sense." ....
.... [Amherst Supt. Gus] Sayer, who has observed students taking the test and discussed it with teachers, said teachers must
adhere to many strict guidelines in giving the test. These include rules such as not throwing away any piece of paper used during
the test. "It's created a lot of tension, some of which I think is totally unnecessary in test-taking situations," Sayer said. "Getting
it exactly right isn't necessary at the fourth- and sixth-grade level." 
As in Leverett, some children at all levels in Amherst are boycotting the test. Sayer said his administration neither punishes
such a decision, nor supports it..... 


Cape Cod Times, 5/22: State use of MCAS tests wrong
http://www.capecodonline.com/cctimes/stateuse22.htm

The president of the company that distributes and grades the MCAS exams said he does not think standardized tests should
be used as a requirement for high school graduation. 
"When these tests are used exclusively for graduation, I think that's wrong," said Eugene Paslov, a former English teacher
who now runs Harcourt Educational Measurements. 
The second largest standardized testing company in the United States, Harcourt Educational Measurements has a
five-year, $71 million contract to distribute and grade the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System exams. 
Paslov was in Chatham yesterday to apologize to Chatham High School juniors for losing 55 MCAS exams last year....
.... Besides apologizing for the error, Paslov said he disagrees with the state's use of the MCAS. He said standardized tests are
good measurement tools, but they should not be used as a requirement for high school graduation. 
Paslov acknowledged the state Department of Education disagrees with his position, but he predicted the political battle to
end the graduation requirement will do some good....
... "When we sell our services, we cannot tell our customers how to use them," Paslov said. 
For example, his company has a $44 million contract with California. "We cannot say we're not going to bid because we don't
like the way you're using the test," he said. 
"But we do have a responsiblity to tell policymakers how we feel," he added. 
An education department spokesman said he had no idea the head of the testing company disagreed with the state's use of
the exams. 
"Tell him to call the Legislature," joked Jonathan Palumbo. "Seriously, we're proud of the test." ...
But the state and Harcourt agree they are not proud of the errors found in the exams. 
Palumbo said the company lost a few exams in about 12 Massachusetts schools last year, although nowhere as many as in
Chatham. 
Since the latest round of testing began on May 14, some new errors in exam questions have been reported. 
FairTest, a national nonprofit organization opposed to high-stakes testing, reported that Zeus was described in an MCAS
exam as the "god of communication." He was in fact the chief deity in Greek mythology. 
The Boston Globe reported that an eighth-grade exam misidentified President James Madison. The test question referred
to him as "John Madison." 
The test questions are written by Massachusetts educators, Paslov said. However, an editor from his company should have
caught the errors....


AP wire/Masslive.com, 5/22: Students find mistake in math portion of MCAS
masslive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/cgi-free/getstory_ssf.cgi?g0102_BC_MA--MCASMistake&&news&newsflash-massachusetts
See also, AP wire/Boston.com, 5/22: Students find mistake in math portion of MCAS
http://www.boston.com/dailynews/142/region/Students_find_mistake_in_math_:.shtml

See also, AP wire/Daily Hampshire Gazette, 5/23: Students find MCAS mistake
http://www.gazettenet.com/05232001/schools/2302.htm

A mistake has been found on the MCAS test for the second time since students started taking the exam earlier this month. 
At least two students caught an error on the math portion of the 10th-grade exam, and the mistake was verified by math
teachers. Last week, a mistake was found in the English portion of the test....
.... ''This is a high stakes test,'' Phil Katz, a former math teacher and head of the Brookline Educators Association, said
Tuesday. ''Kids will graduate or not based on this test. To have flaws like this is criminal.'' 
But Education Commissioner David Driscoll said MCAS opponents are ''reaching'' if they try to turn a minor mistake into a
major fiasco. 
''Oh, please,'' he said. ''I stand by this test. We've got too much data to show (the test's validity)'' 
Driscoll said he wouldn't discuss specific questions until the testing is completed, but said if the question was incorrect,
students will not be penalized. 
The flawed math question reads: 
''Alicia has many congruent plastic tiles shaped like the equilateral triangle shown below (an equilateral triangle with no
labels is pictured). She is using the tiles to form other polygons. Any two adjacent tiles she uses must have an entire side in
common. Which shape could she not form?'' 
The choices given are hexagon, pentagon, rhombus and trapezoid. 
The problem is that Alicia can make all the shapes, said Silver Lake High School math coordinator Paula Sennett.....
.... Nathan Palmer, 16, a sophomore at Silver Lake in Kingston, said he was confused by the question, and worked on it for
more than five minutes before guessing ''pentagon,'' figuring test makers forgot to make ''regular pentagon'' an option. 
After the test, Palmer talked about it with other students, demonstrating that he could make a pentagon on a blackboard.
Another teacher noticed, and word spread. 
A student at Braintree High School also caught the mistake, Katz said. 
Palmer said he was surprised that proofreaders didn't catch the mistake because the test's importance has been drilled into
his head since junior high..... 


AP wire/ Boston.com, 5/21: Critics call word change on MCAS a waste of time
http://www.boston.com/dailynews/141/region/Critics_call_word_change_on_MC:.shtml

.... ''There's a world of difference between telling a child, 'You're a failure,'' and saying 'You failed this exam,''' said Boston
University chancellor John Silber, who was state board chairman when the MCAS exam was developed. ''Why should we
introduce Orwellian nonsense instead of truthful language in this situation?'' 
Glenn Koocher, president of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, agreed. 
''This will calm critics, that's all,'' he said. ''This is nothing but an attempt to manage the communications strategy around this
whole thing.'' ....
.... This move is just one more step in that direction, said James Peyser, chairman of the state board and education adviser to
acting Gov. Jane Swift. 
''The term failing ought to be used judiciously, and is best reserved for students on the 10th-grade test,'' he said. ''This puts
in place an early warning system for students in the fourth and eighth-grade, to let them know they are at risk of failing later.'' 
The change will likely ease the stress younger students feel about the exam, said James Caradonio, superintendent of
Worcester public schools..... 
.... Though the state board will take the final vote on the change, the idea came from Swift. She pitched the proposal last fall in
her status report on the MCAS and the state's progress on its 1993 education reform law. 
''No child should be labeled as ''failing'' based on a diagnostic test,'' she said at the time....


AP wire/ Daily Hampshire Gazette, 5/21: MCAS "failure" to be "warning"
http://www.gazettenet.com/05212001/schools/2220.htm

The state Board of Education plans to vote Tuesday on a recommendation from Acting Gov. Jane M. Swift to change the
MCAS designation of ``failing'' to ``warning'' for students in grades three to nine.....


Metrowest Daily News, 5/21: Failing grade on the way out
http://www.townonline.com/14673611.htm

The state Board of Education is expected to vote tomorrow to replace the MCAS’s " failing " category in exams given to
elementary and middle schoolers with a " warning " grade....
.... " We’re testing fourth-graders and telling them they are failures, they have failed, " said Winthrop High School Principal
James Noiles. " There’s got to be another piece of terminology besides that. It just creates a lot of negativity on the whole
MCAS scenario. " 
Sophomores will still have to deal with a " failing " category, according to James Peyser, chairman of the education board.
" I’m expecting them to have a little bit thicker skin, but I’m also cognizant they need to be clear that there are
consequences for that test that don’t exist for the other test, " Peyser said....
.... In Boston, 34 percent of fourth-graders failed English and 46 percent failed math. One-quarter of city eighth-graders failed
English while 64 percent failed math.
Monty Neill, executive director of the anti-testing group FairTest, said changing the label will do little to address real
problems with the exam and its use as the cornerstone of the state’s $8 billion education reform program.....