Hull Public Schools
180 Harborview Road
Hull, Massachusetts 02045
(781) 925-4400 ext.1118 Fax (781) 925-8042
March 29, 2017
Dear
Parents and Guardians,
We,
the three principals of the Hull Public Schools, are writing to share our
thoughts over recent questions about whether or not students have the option to
opt-out of the state-wide MCAS assessments being given this spring to students
in grades 3-10. The facts are very clear on this: The Massachusetts
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) does not have
an opt-out provision and the Commissioner has stated that testing is
mandatory. All students in grades 3-10 are required to participate in
MCAS assessments.
Although
there are some who do not see value in these assessments, we disagree. We
work diligently to ensure that your students are provided with a rigorous
curriculum that allows them to acquire the necessary skills to succeed in
school and later in life. The results of the MCAS provide valuable
information as to what we are doing well and areas where we should
improve. In addition, these results enable us to make the changes to
strengthen what is taught and how that material is presented to your child each
day.
Another
benefit of taking the MCAS exam is that students become familiar with
standardized tests which they will encounter throughout their education
careers. Such familiarity should make students more comfortable taking
the PSAT, SAT, ACT and AP examinations and perhaps even the MTEL, GRE, MCAT and
LSAT examinations.
There is also the potential for a
serious negative consequence to the entire student population and to the town
as a whole when a small number of students refuse to test. Currently, the
Jacobs School is rated by DESE as a Level 1 school. This solidly places JES in
the top 20% of all elementary schools in the state. This is the highest
rating that a school can receive. Memorial School and Hull High School
are rated as Level 2 schools (out of a total of 5 levels). Even if a
small number of students do not fully complete the MCAS testing because of
refusal or absenteeism, the school and the entire district may drop to a Level
3 school due to lack of student participation. In one scenario, if as few
as four students do not take the test, the entire district, not just one
school, will be designated as Level 3, an underperforming district.
Our
message to students is simple. Your teachers have prepared you
well. You have worked hard throughout the school year. You have the
skills and knowledge to do well on the MCAS. Just do your best.
Enclosed
with this letter is a statement from Mitchell D. Chester, the Massachusetts
Commissioner of Education. His letter provides more information about the
value of the MCAS assessment.
If you have any questions about this, please feel free to contact one of us at your earliest convenience.
Very
truly yours,
Christine
Cappadona Anthony
Hrivnak Michael Devine
Principal Principal Principal
Jacobs
Elementary
School Memorial Middle
School Hull High SchoolEnclosure
Statement from Mitchell D. Chester, the Massachusetts Commissioner of Education
