September 30, 2008

Dear Parents and Guardians of the Class of 2010:

A few days ago, you received your son or daughter's 2008 Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) results.  Students are receiving the results of the MCAS administered in May 2008.  Scores are reported as Advanced, Proficient, Needs Improvement or Warning.

The MCAS tests serve two purposes.  First, they provide teachers, students and their parents with valuable information about what each student knows and is able to do based upon the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.  Secondly, individual schools and school districts use the MCAS results to evaluate how well they are implementing the Frameworks and make the necessary adjustments in curriculum and instruction to help our students move ahead in the future.

As you review the test results with your child, we ask you to emphasize that the MCAS is only one measure of a student's performance and that we use a variety of assessments to evaluate each childís academic achievement (daily performance in school, tests, quizzes, projects, and oral presentations).  Also, please remind your child that there are many variables that can cause a student to perform less than his or her best on a particular test on any given day.  The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has posted some of the MCAS Spring 2008 test items and sample student responses at its Internet site (www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/).  It might be helpful for you and your child to examine these together.

All students in the Class of 2010 took the ELA and Math portions of the MCAS.  Students that were enrolled in Biology during their sophomore year were also administered the Biology portion of the test.   Scores are reported as Advanced, Proficient, Needs Improvement or Warning. Members of the Class of 2010 need a score in the Needs Improvement category or higher in all three subject areas in order to graduate from high school. 

If your child failed any portion of the test, they will be required to retest.  Here are the dates for the first retest opportunities:
 -English - November 5-7, 2008
 -Math - November 12-13, 2008
 -Biology - February 2-3, 2009

Students who need to retest are currently enrolled in instructional labs in the corresponding subject area and will be notified of the exact time and location of their retest.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your son or daughter's guidance counselor. 
 
The state has issued a new requirement this year for students that score in the Needs Improvement category on either the English or Math portion of the MCAS.  These students will be required to take remedial coursework and additional assessments in these subject areas for their last two years of high school to better prepare them for postsecondary study,  The required coursework and assessments will be outlined in an Educational Proficiency Plan (EPP) created by the student, their parent or guardian, and the student's guidance counselor.  If your student scored Needs Improvement in Math or English, you will be contacted in the upcoming weeks regarding an Educational Proficiency Plan.  Please note the following:

 -Students in the Needs Improvement category for Math and/or English  must meet the requirements of their EPP to graduate from Stoughton High School but will not be required to take a retest. 
 -This new requirement does not apply to Science.  Students that scored in the Needs Improvement category in Biology only do not need to retest or develop an EPP. 

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to improve student achievement in the Stoughton Public Schools.  

Sincerely,

Anthony L. Sarno, Jr.
Interim Superintendent

Marguerite C. Rizzi, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction  

Brett Dickens
Administrative Principal