Sunday, August 3, 2003
Schools chief fails 'must' test
By Shawn Boburg
Staff Writer LAWRENCE -- Schools Superintendent Wilfredo T. Laboy has three times failed a basic literacy test all state educators are required to pass, The Eagle-Tribune has learned. Calling it a "frustrating" and "emotional" issue, Laboy blamed his failing scores on a lack of preparation and concentration and the fact that English is his second language. "It bothers me because I'm trying to understand the congruence of what I do here every day and this stupid test," said Laboy, who received a 3 percent pay hike this week, raising his salary to $156,560 a year. "That's what, emotionally, I'm so upset about. "I didn't meet the bar. But I think truly and honestly it has no relevancy to what I do every day. The fruits of my labor speak greater than not passing a test." By law, Laboy must pass the test in order to be certified as a Massachusetts educator. State Education Commissioner David P. Driscoll said he is aware of Laboy's testing troubles, but would not say how many chances Laboy would be given to pass or what the consequences of another failure could be. "He's going to have to pass," said Driscoll, who also commended Laboy on the "excellent job" he has done in the district. "He told me he needs more time to prepare for the test. I told him, 'Fine.' ... The situation will only get serious if he goes much longer without passing." The revelation comes at a time when students across the state -- even non-English speakers -- are being forced to pass the MCAS in order to receive a high school diploma. Lawrence had the state's highest number of seniors not to pass the high-stakes exam last year. Laboy also recently placed 24 teachers on unpaid administrative leave because they failed a basic English proficiency test, in response to a law voters passed last fall requiring all teachers to speak only English in the classroom. The Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure assess fundamental reading and writing skills expected of all entry-level teachers and administrators, including basic vocabulary, punctuation, grammar, spelling and capitalization. Laboy barely passed the reading section on his second attempt, scoring the minimum required grade, he admitted this week. He also admitted to failing the writing portion three times and a section of the test requiring test-takers to use proper punctuation and spelling in writing a passage word for word as it is slowly read over an audiotape. The minimum passing score on the four-hour exam is a 70. Laboy recalled he scored a 63 on the writing portion after his most recent attempt, with the lowest score coming on the "mechanics" or audiotape portion. In the mechanics section, candidates must correctly spell, punctuate and capitalize the passage, which is scored by totaling the number of errors in spelling, punctuation, and capitalization, the Web site says. "What brought me down was the rules of grammar and punctuation," Laboy said. "English being a second language for me, I didn't do well in writing. If you're not an English teacher, you don't look at the rules on a regular basis." The Web site also says candidates must pass all sections of a given test in the same sitting and may not appeal their scores. Passing the Communications and Literacy Skills Test became a requirement for all educators -- from teachers to superintendents -- in 1998. The purpose is "to demonstrate ... skills necessary for providing instruction in Massachusetts public schools and for communication between school and parents or guardians," according to the Department of Education Web site. Laboy contends he was told he wouldn't have to take the exam by state education officials when they recruited him for the Lawrence schools' top job three years ago. Laboy said he was told by officials he would be exempt from the exam because he had already passed a certification test in New York state in 1991. He called the requirement "unfair" and said he has been pushing for a waiver from the state. "I should have never taken the test because I came here with a very clear understanding (from the state) that I had licensure," Laboy said. But that is not how Driscoll remembers it. And the state's Department of Education Web site states: "Massachusetts law does not allow for waiving of the test requirement, or for substitutions for that requirement." "I'm comfortable that he's aware of his obligation to pass," Driscoll said. "I think there was some time (after he came to Lawrence) that he thought he was certified because of his New York license. We certainly have given him some time to pass the test. Our expectation is that he'll pass eventually." Driscoll also said he is willing to give Laboy more time to prepare for his fourth test. "He's not a native language speaker, so a formal test is something he needs to prepare for," Driscoll said. "It doesn't mean anything now. It will mean more as time goes on because there's an expectation that he'll pass." Laboy said if he must take the test again, he will do a better job preparing for it. "I haven't concentrated on it," Laboy said. "I have paid no attention to it and I'm the one at fault for that. With 32 years of experience, it has not been my priority." "The first time I took the test I just blew it. I was just disgusted by it, honestly. You go into a room with a bunch of 23-year-olds -- not that I'm above them -- but I just felt humiliated." But next time, he said, "I will uphold the standard." "I will try to lead by example, both in my successes and failures. ... If I put my head in it and emotionally concentrate on it, I can pass it." Driscoll estimated that 90 percent of all teachers in the state have passed the certification exam, while Laboy guessed that 80 percent or more of Lawrence teachers are properly certified.
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