Debate over Posting of Test Scores Goes On | Volunteer Opportunities Abound

The question of whether to publicly display and chart student test results on bulletin boards that all can see was once again discussed by the Somerville School Committee on Tuesday night. Members reiterated their objection to the display of individual students’ progress on state tests in classrooms and hallways. Several parents attended the meeting but were not allowed to comment.

At last month’s Educational Programs and Instruction Subcommittee meeting, committee members  and said that the displays demoralized students and invaded their privacy. Members continued the discussion at Tuesday night’s meeting, advocating for the use of displays that showed combined student progress instead of individual progress.

Janice Hanada, a consultant from Focus on Results, the education consulting firm that recommended the practice, attended the meeting. Hanada said that pushback from Somerville parents about the data walls was unusual from her experience in other school districts across the country. It made her reconsider the necessity of posting individual students’ progress in classrooms and hallways, she said.

Still, Hanada defended the controversial practice before a skeptical committee by saying that it would compel students to improve as a class.

But committee member Christine Rafal said that using individual student data contradicted the collective outlook that Hanada said that displays would bring about. Further, she said that the displays might cause competition among students.

In agreement with other school committee members, Chairman Adam Sweeting said that he supported the display of students’ combined improvement on Measure of Academic Progress (MAP), whether that would be on the classroom, grade or school level.

However, Superintendent Tony Pierantozzi said he opposed the aggregate model because it “clouds individual differences in growth.” Even so, he said that students could choose not to participate in the individual displays and that he would address any concerns students, parents or teachers have with the use of the displays. 

Volunteer opportunities at Somerville schools 

In other school news, Somerville Public Schools Volunteer Coordinator Jen Capuano is looking for new volunteers from among parents, guardians and city residents. If you’re an ace at math, an aspiring mentor or just someone who enjoys helping out, the city could use your skills. 

Capuano said she’s looking for motivated volunteers who can dedicate at least one hour of their time per week.  She collected the following list of schools and programs that most need volunteers.

• English Language Learners Assist students in all schools who are learning English as a second language.
• East Somerville Community School Help students in grades 1-4 with homework from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., tutor students after school, supervise students from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. or serve as a mentor for a 6^th grader.
• Argenziano School Offer classroom support for grade K-4 teachers, serve as an after-school door monitor, give after-school support, particularly on half-day Wednesdays or accompany students walking from the library to the cafeteria in the mornings.
• Kennedy School; Winter Hill Community School Tutor students in grades 6-7 in math and tutor students in grades 1-2 in English Language Arts.
• Brown School Tutor 6^th grade students in math.
• Somerville High School Tutor students in math in the morning and after school.
• Translators and Interpreters Assist the Parent Information Center and schools with translation and interpretation.

Prospective volunteers can fill out an online application.