80% of Concord and Concord-Carlisle Faculties Oppose MCAS Test

Over 80% of the Concord Public Schools Faculty (K-8) and over 80% of the Concord-Carlisle High School Faculty (9-12) have signed a petition asking their School Committees to publicly oppose the MCAS test.

The petition cites five criticisms of the current implementation of the test:

1. The reliance on a single high-stakes test is inappropriate and violates the 1993 Massachusetts Education Reform Act which called for a variety of assessment techniques to be employed.

2. It encourages "teaching to the test," discourages critical thinking, and threatens existing, innovative curricula.

3. The tests are too long and infringe on valuable time that should be devoted to classroom teaching.

4. Examination of early results confirms our fears that the tests will disproportionately damage and
disadvantage poor children and students of color.

5. The exam represents an unfair, insurmountable obstacle for many students with Special Education needs or who speak English as their second language.

Members of the faculty have requested to be heard on the agenda of the May 9 Joint Meeting of the Concord and Concord-Carlisle School Committees. This meeting will be held at the Sanborn School, 835 Old Marlboro Road, Concord, MA 01742 at 7:30 pm. 

For further information, please contact any of these faculty representatives:
Andrei Joseph 
Social Studies Department 
Concord-Carlisle High School 
Ajoseph@massed.net

Dr. Susan Curtin
Peabody Middle School
Concord, MA
DrSHC@aol.com

Al Powers
Science Department 
Concord-Carlisle High School
Apowers@colonial.net