Does Worcester Need an Exam School for High Achieving Students?
Saturday, June 08, 2013
"When you have the diversity that Worcester has, you need options," Dr. Roberta Schaefer with The Worcester Regional Research Bureau, whose group advocated for an exam school this week upon the release of its 2013 annual report and holding of it annual meeting.
GoLocal spoke with Schaefer, as well as School Committee member Tracy O'Connell Novick, following Thursday night's School Committee meeting where one of the agenda items was an exam school for high achieving students, to get their views on the issue, and what's next for Worcester.
The Research Bureau Continues to Advocate for Exam School Option
In December 2012, The Worcester Regional Research Bureau released a report entitled "Academically Selective High Schools: Should Worcester Have One?"
The report looked into pros and cons of exam schools, with the latter ranging from opponents saying they are "elitist and incompatible with democratic mores" and "public schools should not choose their students; they should be open to all" to the argument that they "cream the brightest students from the other high schools in the district, leaving the students remaining in the latter schools without the role models needed to generate an academically challenging and inspiring environment."
The rationales outlined in the report for a magnet school included the assertion that the No Child Left Behind Act has focused on all children attaining minimum standards, and that "its effect has been to downplay excellence at great cost to our economic competitiveness and our education system," to economic arguments that "they are considered a magnet for economic development and talent recruitment and "such schools are viewed as a community asset by parents, employers, colleges, businesses, and real estate agents...and may lead to partnerships with businesses and colleges that bring additional resources to the school."
The Research Bureau, which this week released its 2013 Annual Report, reiterated its support once more for the creation of a school for academically gifted students.
"Worcester isn't a big city as far as urban areas go. People here are either on their way "up" -- young families starting off in their 30s and 40s -- or else it's retirees and the elderly," said Schaefer, speaking with GoLocal about the report. "If you want a strong middle class in the city, you need quality education options, and which an [exam school] would provide."
Schaefer also touched upon the nature of the city's pursuit of a residency requirement from some of its workers. "Look, police, firefighters, teachers in Worcester don't have a residency requirement. If the city wants to impose one on public works, department heads, we need strong schools for those then who have to live in Worcester for that [City mandated] reason."
School Committee Takes Up Consideration
On Thursday, the Worcester School Committee considered the report, "The Feasibility of Establishing an Exam School for High Achieving Students," pursuant to Mayor Petty in June 2012 charging the Committee with the task to "report to the School Committee the feasibility of establishing an exam school for high achieving students in grades 9 to 12 which would develop and promote academic excellence relevant to success in the 21st century,"
The report, undertaken by a thirteen member ad hoc committee which included committee members as well as academic leaders, pointed out that there were currently Worcester public schools or programs with limited admissions -- and noting that there were waiting lists of students looking to attend them. These included the Mass Academy of Math and Science, University Park Campus School, Worcester Technical High School, and the Goddard Scholars Program
School committee member Tracey O'Connell Novick told GoLocalWorcester on Friday, "We were able to lay out an argument on both sides -- for the school, and against it. My hope is that people don't necessarily viscerally react to the concept one way or the other, but take the time to find out more about it themselves."
"It's under review right now, we'll probably hear -- and discuss -- more in the fall, with plenty of time for public input," said Novick.
Novice pointed out the "important fact" is that admissions won't be based solely on an entrance exam, noting that in addition to scores on a new exam, aligned with the mission of the school, created specifically for the purpose of admission, entrance to the school would be also based on the past academic record of the student, a portfolio of work, including an essay, which demonstrates the breadth of a student’s ability “to read, speak, think, and write," and an interview with members of the admissions committee."
"We chose this approach based on research of the experiences of similar schools around the country," said Novick. "This approach was found to be a better indicator of success than [just] an entrance exam."
Additional Voices Weigh In
"Special needs students get special attention. Being gifted should also warrant special attention," said Lukes. "There are those who say an exam school would exclude minorities. That's not the case. Minorities can be just as gifted, of course."
Worcester Attorney and past two-term member of the City of Worcester Zoning Board of Appeals, Morris "Moe" Bergman, who has announced that he is running for an at-large seat on the Worcester City Council, added his perpsective to the debate.
"Education is more than just a school committee issue, it's a City Council issue as well," said Moe. "The more confidence there is in our schools, there will be more confidence in the city, in real estate here.
"There are questions about where the money for such a school would come from," said Bergman. "I think it's important if Worcester does move forward with this that we find a way to do so without further burdening the Worcester taxpayer, or harming existing schools."
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