Thursday, September 15, 2011

Commissioner Chester on opening of school

Last week we got a letter from Massachusetts Commissioner of Education Mitchell Chester on the opening of school. I'll include the whole of the letter after the jump, but a few highlights, with commentary:
The work that lies ahead this year will build upon several key milestones that we achieved last year, including: (1) the award of a $250 million Race to the Top grant; (2) the first year of turnaround efforts in the 35 lowest performing schools in the state; (3) the adoption of new Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks in English Language Arts and Mathematics, Incorporating the Common Core Standards; and (4) the adoption of new educator evaluation regulations.
You'll note that all of these are lockstep with the priorities of the national administration. Nothing here on well-rounded education, thoughtful measures of learning, or educating the next generation of the Commonwealth.
Yesterday, the Department released the statewide spring 2011 MCAS results. Our high school results continue to be remarkable. I was also encouraged to see good gains in grade 5 English language arts (ELA) and mathematics and gap narrowing in ELA at several grades. While the results continue to edge up, the pace of improvement is not as consistent and strong as I would like it to be. 
Accelerate, accelerate, accelerate...here's the problem. We now are dealing with three years out from 100% proficiency. We are approaching, but never reaching, zero.
The destruction caused by Tropical Storm Irene in late August caused the delay of many planned school openings.  In New England, more common cancellations due to inclement winter weather are not unexpected. As you work with your school committees or boards of trustees later this year to develop the 2012-2013 school calendar, I encourage you to keep in mind the importance of planning appropriately for meeting the required 180 days of school by building sufficient flexibility into your calendars.  More and more school districts are beginning the school year before Labor Day, which is one way to maximize opportunities for making up cancelled days.  Many districts are clarifying that February and April vacation dates are subject to change as a result of cancelled days.
aka: I don't care if there's a state of emergency; I'm not giving out waivers.
Several high profile national stories last year about alleged cheating on standardized tests in other states served as a reminder of the importance of understanding and abiding by proper test security protocols when administering MCAS tests. School principals are responsible for the integrity of the testing that takes place in their buildings, and must train all test administrators each year in advance of the spring testing. School superintendents and charter leaders set the tone and expectation for your district:  that MCAS must be administered according to rules and that that cheating or compromised administrations of the test will not be tolerated. I know that you take security as seriously as I do, and I thank you for your efforts to ensure that appropriate expectations are set and that training occurs in each of your schools prior to each new MCAS administration.
(emphasis added)  in other states?

The entire letter after the jump:


Dear Superintendents and Charter School Leaders:

I write to welcome you and the educators, staff, students, and parents in your districts back to school for the start of the 2011-2012 year.  I know that many districts experienced substantial damage and disruption as a result of recent natural disasters (last Spring’s tornadoes, August’s Hurricane Irene, and the rains of the past week).  I hope that your students, families, and communities are recovering and that your school year is on track.

The work that lies ahead this year will build upon several key milestones that we achieved last year, including: (1) the award of a $250 million Race to the Top grant; (2) the first year of turnaround efforts in the 35 lowest performing schools in the state; (3) the adoption of new Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks in English Language Arts and Mathematics, Incorporating the Common Core Standards; and (4) the adoption of new educator evaluation regulations.

Massachusetts continues to be recognized as a national leader in public education, and the credit for our consistent high achievement rightfully belongs with our 80,000 educators and nearly 1 million students. At the same time, we have much work ahead to close proficiency gaps and improve outcomes for all students. Yesterday, the Department released the statewide spring 2011 MCAS results. Our high school results continue to be remarkable. I was also encouraged to see good gains in grade 5 English language arts (ELA) and mathematics and gap narrowing in ELA at several grades. While the results continue to edge up, the pace of improvement is not as consistent and strong as I would like it to be.

I have attached yesterday’s State House News article that captures the messaging I provided to the press. In addition, you can access the MCAS press release at “http://www.doe.mass.edu/news/news.aspx?id=6376”. Later this month, we will release school and district MCAS and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) data. I want to remind you that all school and district MCAS data is strictly embargoed and may not be discussed or shared publicly until after the Department releases the final, official data.

As we enter the new school year, there are three areas that I wanted to address with you. These are:

  1. 180-Day Rule
The destruction caused by Tropical Storm Irene in late August caused the delay of many planned school openings.  In New England, more common cancellations due to inclement winter weather are not unexpected. As you work with your school committees or boards of trustees later this year to develop the 2012-2013 school calendar, I encourage you to keep in mind the importance of planning appropriately for meeting the required 180 days of school by building sufficient flexibility into your calendars.  More and more school districts are beginning the school year before Labor Day, which is one way to maximize opportunities for making up cancelled days.  Many districts are clarifying that February and April vacation dates are subject to change as a result of cancelled days.

  1. Diminished Resources
The uncertainty of the economy and the slow recovery continues to have a profound impact on school budgets. Governor Patrick, the legislature, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and I have made preserving state funding for public K-12 education our foremost priority. Thankfully, education funding has been spared the more severe cuts that other sectors have experienced. Regardless, I know and respect the challenges you face each year in devising your local budgets.

  1. Test Security
Several high profile national stories last year about alleged cheating on standardized tests in other states served as a reminder of the importance of understanding and abiding by proper test security protocols when administering MCAS tests. School principals are responsible for the integrity of the testing that takes place in their buildings, and must train all test administrators each year in advance of the spring testing. School superintendents and charter leaders set the tone and expectation for your district:  that MCAS must be administered according to rules and that that cheating or compromised administrations of the test will not be tolerated. I know that you take security as seriously as I do, and I thank you for your efforts to ensure that appropriate expectations are set and that training occurs in each of your schools prior to each new MCAS administration.

One of the most satisfying aspects of my role as state education commissioner is the opportunity to visit schools across the Commonwealth and observe classroom instruction and new, innovative approaches to teaching and learning. I continue to be committed to visiting as many schools as I can throughout the year, and look forward to seeing and hearing about the wonderful work that is taking place in your districts.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if I may be of assistance.

Best wishes on a successful school year.

Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D.
Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education

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