High school administration presents revised Program of Studies

Date: 1/19/2009

By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor



EAST LONGMEADOW Harried students, worrying about final exams, term papers and standardized tests can breathe a small sigh of relief regarding the 2009-10 school year -- Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester has decided to postpone the implementation of a social studies MCAS exam.

East Longmeadow High School Principal Richard Freccero, Assistant Principal Michael Knybel and Glenn Maller, department chair for history and social sciences, announced this new and Program of Studies revisions last Monday at a School Committee meeting.

Even though there will be no social studies MCAS exam in the next school year, Freccero said he feels the school "should be prepared" for the tests.

"We need to put more focus on U.S. history in ninth and tenth grades to be in line with the state," Maller explained.

MCAS exams are currently given in English language arts, mathematics and science.

"Even though the state is not providing social studies MCAS, is there a test to see if we're teaching what needs to be taught?" School Committee member Thomas McGowan asked.

Freccero replied that there is a trial test for the next school year, but it is school-based and not from the Commonwealth.

Commissioner Chester ordered the social studies standardized test to be put on hold due to the state's current financial climate -- a lot of funding is needed to implement a new mandatory test statewide.

Students who struggle with math can also breathe easier in 2009-10. Knybel announced a third math choice for seniors who have filled their graduation requirements for math but would like to continue their learning.

"It's not as easy as algebra 2 but it's not as hard as pre-calc," Knybel explained.

The class would not be open to general enrollment. It would only be offered to students who performed under the "proficient" level on their algebra 2 MCAS exam. Knybel said this would mean about 15 percent of next year's senior class -- about 27 students -- could enroll in the class.

The new class would tie into the high school's third SMART goal for the year, implementing the state mandated Educational Proficiency Plan (EPP). The guidance counselors and administration, using data from the 2008 spring MCAS test, will identify targeted students for the EPP, and the guidance department will implement the EPP by revising 11th grade student schedules as relates it to student's strengths and weaknesses.

To learn more about EPPs, visit the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Web site at www.doe.mass.edu.