State says awarding diplomas to students who flunk MCAS is illegal

By Associated Press, 10/22/2001 15:22 


WESTHAMPTON, Mass. (AP) School systems that hand out high school diplomas to 
students who flunk the MCAS will be breaking the law, according to the state's education
chief.

But one western Massachusetts school district is insisting that students who meet local
standards for graduation should get diplomas whether or not they pass the high-stakes
exam.

Earlier this month, the Hampshire Regional School Committee unanimously voted to
grant diplomas to students as long as they meet local standards of graduation. However,
they said the diplomas would not be certificates of graduation for students who fail the
MCAS.

In a meeting with a group of school superintendents last week, Education Commissioner
David Driscoll told district officials their plan is illegal. ''Giving diplomas to students who
don't pass the competency exam is doing a disservice to students, and it is against the
law,'' Department of Education spokeswoman Heidi Perlman said Monday.

Perlman said the department is preparing a formal response to the Hampshire school
committee, which oversees schools in Chesterfield, Goshen, Southampton,
Westhampton and Williamsburg.

Hampshire school officials say they're waiting for that response before taking any
further action.

''We're not interested in breaking any laws,'' school superintendent
William Erickson said. ''The decision that the committee made to hand out diplomas
is an expression of our concern about the MCAS. We've made our point
known.''

Hampshire school committee members say the state is placing too much importance on
a single test, and are protesting the law requiring students to pass the math and English
portions of the MCAS in order to graduate, beginning with the class of 2003.

A similar idea may soon be before school officials in Amherst.

''It hasn't come up for consideration yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone raises
this at our next meeting,'' said Gus Sayer, school superintendent for the Amherst
Regional School District. The district includes schools in Amherst, Pelham, Shutesbury
and Leverett. State officials say they're unaware of any other districts considering 
awarding diplomas to students who fail the MCAS.

George Fleck, chairman of the Hampshire school board, said local districts should hand
out diplomas, and the state should gives a separate certificate to students who have
passed the MCAS and have therefore graduated.

He said students who meet every education requirement except passing the
MCAS shouldn't be denied a diploma.

''If somebody wants to know what that diploma means, they ask for a transcript of a
person's grades,'' Fleck said. ''That's how you determine whether this person excelled or
just made it by. Diplomas only have value to the recipient.''