MCAS Scores Are Out
Barnstable Schools beat the state average on the tests overall, but the numbers show some weaknesses.
The state released released its MCAS results and Barnstable schools outperformed the state average, with some obvious areas for improvement.
“We’re pleased with the results,” Barnstable School Superintendent Mary Czajkowski said. “We still have lots of work to do.”
School Administration staff will analyze the numbers and present them to the School Committee October 17. They show weaknesses in special education, English as a second language, the eighth grade and math.
“It’s become much more of a concern to us concerning non-graduating students at the high school,” Czajkowski said of special education. “It’s always a challenge, especially in math. Even with services, it’s always a challenge.”
Those services include tutoring, after-school programs and “targeted intervention” for individual not progressing.
“No one’s satisfied with the results,” Czajkowski said. “I give a lot of credit to the teachers, though.”
The non-English language speakers offer another large challenge, especially in West Hyannis Elementary School. The high school has 60 English language learners. West Elementary has 90 in a total population of 300. The languages range from Portuguese and Spanish to Hindi and Arabic.
“We’re looking at more resources,” Czajkowski said. “We have children entering the first grade who have never been in school and speak no English.”
The school system moved the eighth grade into the high school two years ago. In that grade, the numbers for English barely beat the state average and the math numbers fell below.
“That’s our transition grade,” Czajkowski said. “They haven’t gone down, but they haven’t gone up.”
Math in all grades stalled, compared to the state average.
“We’re working on it,” Czajkowski said.
Ellen Chambers
8:00 am on Friday, September 21, 2012
11% of the students at Barnstable HS took the 2012 MCAS-Alt, the exam reserved for students who have significant cognitive impairments. 89%, took the standard MCAS exam because 89% were judged to be as intellectually capable as their non-disabled peers. Yet only 43% scored proficient or better in ELA, only 24% did so in Math. Why are students with disabilities, who are every bit as capable as non-disabled students, failing in such high numbers?
MA spends approx. $2.1 billion on special education every year.
The REAL issue is: where is that $2.1 billion going? Clearly it is not going into effective teaching for students with disabilities (at least not at Barnstable HS).
So, can anyone tell me: Why are students with disabilities, who are every bit as capable as non-disabled students, failing in such high numbers?
Ellen M. Chambers, MBA
Disability Advocate
(978) 433-5983
emchambers@charter.net
Marion King
8:30 am on Friday, September 21, 2012
I'd just like to clarify something that Ellen said. As she said, 11% of BHS students were judged to be significantly cognitively impaired and took the alternate assessment.
Who are the rest of the special ed students? Some have specific learning disabilities. Dyslexia is one example. Over the last 20 years, extraordinary gains have been made in the education community in learning about best practices in teaching students with dyslexia to overcome this challenge. When students are taught with these methodologies, their potential is no longer limited by their disability. All children with specific learning disabilities can - and should - learn enough to ace the MCAS tests.
Another subset of special ed students is children with autism. Since those with cognitive impairments are already taking the alternate assessment, we're talking about kids who can - and should - ace the MCAS. These students often need a different setting in which to take their test. They need to be in a setting with a familiar face, not just a substitute called in to help staff MCAS day. They need access to things to fidget with, perhaps gum to chew. Studies show kids can concentrate better when chewing! Some kids need to be able to get up and move more often than their non-disabled peers. Others process things more slowly, so they need more time. But these kids can - and should - ace the MCAS.
continued...
Marion King
8:38 am on Friday, September 21, 2012
Many folks who do not have kids with disabilities write off the sped subset. Even teachers and administrators do this. As a society, we have laws to protect these kids from low expectations. The U.S. Congress has even made note of the tragedy of low expectations! Why are there no investigations about why the sped subset does not make gains? Why are school committee members not pressuring their principals and special education directors to make this right? As parents, we can take our kids to outside therapies, we can bring behavioral therapists into our homes, we can help our kids understand their homework, but we cannot, on our own, fight the low expectations and substandard instruction that our children face at school each day unless we do so together.
Please pressure your school committee to take a serious look at this. Why? Because first, these children are entitled - by law and morally - to an education. Second, because what happens to these kids when they drop out of high school? Or go to college and don't have the basic skills to succeed? They end up flipping burgers or packing bags at the grocery store. Respectable work for sure, but their potential is not realized AND society bears the burden of financial support for them for decades to come.
continued!
Marion King
8:43 am on Friday, September 21, 2012
So Ellen asked how the $2.1 billion in Massachusetts is spent. I know how Somerset School District spends their funds. They pay Patricia Cosgrove $160 PER HOUR to be a part time interim special education director. Is she worth it? Hmmmm.... She left Mansfield after SPEDWatch heard from local parents and organized a demonstration. I was one of those demonstrators who picketed in a constant downpour for hours.
I wonder if Ms. Cosgrove will be alienating parents in Somerset. At $160 per hour, I can't imagine she's too worried about how they feel.
Please go to www.SPEDWatch.org to learn more about how the special education system is institutionalized neglect for kids with special needs. Parents and other concerned individuals can join the listserv for a small annual donation. Hope to see you there,
Marion King
Foxboro