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MCAS Scandal is a Disgrace
Jim Rurak
09/01/06

School Committee member Scott Wood wants to make public the superintendent’s report on the missing MCAS test.

I agree that this disclosure is an important step in restoring public confidence in the integrity of the test and urge the School Committee to release the report at its next meeting. But confidence will not be restored unless the report addresses two key issues and certain high ranking public officials take some dramatic actions.

 First, the report must address the claim made by the person who sent the MCAS test to the paper, namely, the test was given out ahead of time so as to help improve student scores. Even if only one test was missing, it could have been copied and used by individuals who would not in all likelihood be willing to admit that they did it. If the report brushes this claim aside as the raving of a disgruntled employee, the public may still wonder about the claim itself. The report must reassure us that if the test was stolen, it was not used ahead of time to improve MCAS scores.

 Secondly, the report must explain how MCAS security could have been so easily breached. At the same time, it should outline new security measures which will make a repeat of this episode virtually impossible. Otherwise, the public may expect it could happen again.

I’ll withhold further comments about the report until such time as I may read it.

Now for the public officials. I have never seen such bizarre behavior among Haverhill’s top ranking officials as was displayed in this MCAS incident. Most dramatically was the claim of the police chief that either he or the mayor had to go. If this was said in the paper, one can only imagine the turmoil that goes on behind closed doors! Then, when the pair apparently were working together, what did they do? They threatened the school superintendent with subpoenas and grand juries. Has any mayor or chief so threatened a school superintendent to the extent that such threats necessitated an emergency meeting of the School Committee?

For the public to have confidence in the MCAS test and the investigation about the missing one, it must have confidence in the officials whose responsibility it is to administer the test and protect its integrity. How can this happen when it appears that the highest ranking city officials are divided? It looks like the city has two heads, the mayor vs. the chief; and a creature with two heads is called a monster. Perhaps that explains all the threats, but this must be fixed. The mayor and chief must issue a joint statement that they now have all the information they need from the school superintendent so as to complete the investigation! The chief needs to back off from the investigation and let his senior detective run it. Up to this point he seems deeply involved. A grand jury threat is hardly shouted from one not involved in an investigation!

 Lastly, while the Department of Education (DOE) entered this case like a lion, it left like a lamb. It praised Dr. Buchanan’s report, then it simply sent it back to Haverhill and in effect said, “Good luck investigating the theft.” If the DOE thought there was a theft, why didn’t it refer the matter to the attorney general? Haverhill could have been saved all the rancor and suspicions. And, most of all, the DOE would have demonstrated due concern for what in fact is its property. The test belongs to the DOE! Earlier DOE claims put potential damages for the security breach in the thousands of dollars. This amounts to grand larceny. Once the local investigation is complete, the DOE needs to comment on the findings and charges (if any). And it needs to endorse the new security measures Haverhill adopts, or, instruct the school system how to protect DOE property.

 The public has a right to be concerned until these things are done: 1.) Assure us that the MCAS test was not released to help students prep, and prosecute whomever released it; 2.) Implementation of new security measures to make this episode virtually unrepeatable; 3.) The mayor and chief speak with one voice as leaders not bullies; 4.) The DOE shows due concern for its own property and the integrity of its own test. ‘Twere best these things were done quickly!

Jim Rurak is a professor at Boston College and is the former mayor of Haverhill. Email your comments or questions to Jim Rurak at JARandKAS@comcast.net.

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The September, 2006 Edition of the Valley Patriot
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