Schools
Superintendent: 'MCAS Irregularities Are Unacceptable'
Framingham Superintendent of Schools Stacy Scott said the district "needs to do better to prevent these irregularities from happening."
Framingham Superintendent of Schools Stacy Scott said the district has completed its investigation into an MCAS irregularity that happened three weeks from today in May at an elementary school.
Scott said he has reported his findings to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
He said an "irregularity" did take place at Brophy Elementary during a make-up exam of the MCAS in May. he would not go into the specifics.
This is the second MCAS irregularity reported at a Framingham elementary school since March.
Scott said "irregularities are unacceptable" and the district "needs to do better to prevent these irregularities from happening."
He said based on the investigation he will make changes. He did not say if any individual would be disciplined.
Scott said testing procedures will be reviewed again with school principals and administrators.
Scott also said Brophy Elementary School Principal Frank Rothwell will issue a memo to staff this morning, June 4. It is anticipated a memo will also be issued to Brophy parents.
According to the state, "testing irregularities are incidents that represent a deviation from prescribed testing procedures. Testing irregularities may include student impropriety, test violations, educator misconduct, or the mishandling of secure test materials."
Scott said the irregularity should not affect the outcome of the MCAS exam results.
The state will review the internal investigation and can request additional documentation. The state can also notify the superintendent about any potential consequences, such as the invalidation of results.
If a testing irregularity is proven to be true, the state can:
- delay in reporting of district, school, or student results
- invalidate district, school, or student results
- prohibit school personnel from participating in a future MCAS test administration
- Sanction licensed educators/administrators
The Brophy MCAS irregularity report is the second report of an MCAS issue in the district since March.
On March 17, Framingham Patch was the first media outlet to report on a MCAS irregularity at Stapleton Elementary School.
Scott responded, at that time in March, "FPS district office reported concerns to DESE regarding a potential irregularity in MCAS administration at Stapleton ES which impacted the starting time of the test for 5th grade students. The district is conducting a full review of processes and procedures regarding MCAS testing requirements to ensure full compliance with DESE expectations."
Less than two weeks later, the Stapleton Elementary School Principal was placed on paid administrative leave.
Two days, later the administration announced the principal resigns. A search is still ongoing for a new principal. No finalists have been publicly announced yet.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
