Chester
Starks seeks conversation about impact on students
The discussion began as quietly as a Dallin student taking an online test; it edged toward a decidedly emotional pitch.
Assistant Superintendent Laura Chesson told the School Committee on Thursday, April 10, that students at Dallin and Ottoson had participated in testing of PARCC, which stands for Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers.
Students had handled matters, she said, easier than the adults or the computer network, as Arlington is among a number of school statewide trying out the online exams, due to replace MCAS in 2016.
School Committee member Cindy Starks, who teaches in Lexington, listened and then let her feelings be known. She raised the need to “have a conversation” about computer testing. She said that part of the role of School Committee members is to be a “gate” … “to allow children to breathe.”
Her views were in part a response to what took place in Peabody two nights earlier. There, its School Committee voted unanimously to ask the state Ethics Commission to review the relationship between state Education Secretary Mitchell Chester and PARCC.
An email titled “Potential Conflict of Interest” from the Peabody committee chair said that Chester, “by virtue of his role as National Chair of the PARCC Governing Board and other actions represents a serious breach of trust, which is at odds with his primary duties and responsibilities, and at the very least gives the impression of bias towards PARCC and compromises the decision making process.”
Arlington committee member suggested drawing a resolution about the issue for the Massachusetts Association of School Committees’ general assembly due to meet in June.
The committe took no action April 10.
The full text of the Peabody Committee email, sent by its chair, Dave McGeney, to the association’s email list said:
“The following correspondence shall be sent to Governor Deval Patrick, Mitchell Chester, the Attorney General, the Board of Education and the State Ethics Commission:
“We believe the decision of whether to abandon MCAS, a test which is a fundamental element of the 1993 Ed Reform Act that has led to the unprecedented improvement in student achievement in Massachusetts, in favor of PARCC, a test which may hold promise but is, as yet, unproven and theoretical, is one of critical importance.
“We believe also that this monumental decision demands objectivity, fairness and the impartial scrutiny of empirical data to determine the outcome.
“We believe that Mitchell Chester, by virtue of his role as National Chair of the PARCC Governing Board and other actions represents a serious breach of trust, which is at odds with his primary duties and responsibilities, and at the very least gives the impression of bias towards PARCC and compromises the decision making process.
“Therefore, the Peabody School Committee, by a unanimous vote, requests that you render an opinion on this matter.”
See a list of those on the PARCC governing board here >>
Chester filed disclosure forms with the state Ethics Commission about the relationship in February 2013, according to copies of the forms forwarded by McGeney.
Hayner elected chairman
In other business, the committee:
— Unanimously elected William Hayner chairman, Jeff Thielman vice chairman; Kirsi Allison-Ampe secretary; and authorized Starks to sign payrolls (all votes were 7-0, including new member, Jennifer Susse, welcomed to her first meeting following her top-vote victory in the April 5 town election).
— Voted 7-0 after discussion to show support for selectmen and Finance Committee, both of which voted no action on Article 38. That would appropriate funds to eliminate the fees for extracurricular programs in Arlington public schools. At first, Thielman favored waiting until Town Meeting and calling an emergency meeting if there is a substitute motion. Later, Jud Peirce urged the vote, which was then taken.
— Voted 7-0 to support Article 14, which would establish a town poet laureate, because such a person would work with students in the Arlington public schools.
— Heard Rebecca Steinitz, president of the Arlington Education Foundation, discuss the May 5 Technology showcase, set for 6 to 8 p.m. in the high school media center, She called it “a vision of the future.” Last year the focus was on the high school STEM Lab; this year, it’s Ottoson.
Superintendent Kathleen Bodie reported that three finalists for the principal of the Thompson School had met the public April 9, but that she had no recommendation as yet.
Also on April 9, she said she met at Thompson with Secretary of Education Matthew Malone during a discussion of school safety. Also there was Jack McCarthy, executive director of Massachusetts School Building Authority, the state agency that recently received Arlington’s statement of interest, a first step to revamp Arlington High School. He state official had little to say about that, she said.
This story was published Tuesday, April 15, 2014. It was updated to replace the photo of Chester; the original one was incorrect.
