Hogan and Kouchakdjian for SPSC

Election season has brought a heightened interest in MCAS scores and district performance. There are many opinions about standardized testing; its value and definitions of student success. Good or bad, MCAS is one of the few measurements we have. The reality is that people living in a town with a high tax rate, expect their schools to stand out.

As a current member of the SPS Committee, I am concerned with letters written by two sitting school committee members attempting to rationalize our Level 2 status rather than offer a plan to get Sudbury to Level 1. We cannot tout our results when we perform well, but then distance ourselves from the credibility of the test when the results flounder. We are all tested in our lives and know that trends can provide great insight to how healthy an individual or organization is. These measurements can help best serve our students and help our teachers best perform their roles. 

Our first step should be to acknowledge symptoms of decline throughout the district. The data shows not just declining scores among our high needs subgroups, but also a decline in rankings among our previously high performers. Any distortion of the facts is damaging and dishonest to Sudbury’s citizens. As your representative, I am disheartened that members of the committee, as well as senior administrative leaders, have taken so much time to respond to statements made during a political campaign. It’s curious that when MCAS results were released in fall of 2012 (October 3rd meeting), results were presented during a mere 15 minute overview, while a detailed, public analysis never took place. 

I am proud and honored to represent Sudbury residents and will always do my best to put Sudbury's children and citizens first. It has been a challenging few years for Sudbury Public Schools, which is why I desired to become your representative in 2013. There are clear choices; if you are happy where SPS has gone over the last 3 years then you may cast your votes for my fellow incumbent committee members, if you are looking for fresh ideas, change and action, then vote for Christine Hogan and Lisa Kouchakdjian. 

Please join me in determining which route Sudbury will take moving forward this Monday March 31. 

I write this letter not on behalf of the school committee but on my own behalf as your representative.