WORCESTER—Superintendent Rachel H. Monárrez used her mid-cycle review on Thursday to share with the school committee “bold and courageous” goals she has set to improve students’ performance in reading and math.
Indicating that she was electing to “take risks” rather than “play it safe” when it comes to “growth in reading,” Monárrez said the district’s aim is to boost Unified Scale Score (USS) numbers across the board. For “all scholars,” she is looking for the system’s historical annual increase in reading to jump from 29 USS points to 43. For Latino/Hispanic students, from 30 to 49. For multilingual students, from 32 to 51, and for students with disabilities from 34 to 51.
“Every school has set its own target” number in this regard, she said.
She laid out a goal for realizing ambitious gains in math, too. For all scholars, she wants an increase in USS points from 38 to 47. For Latino/Hispanic students, from 38 to 51. For multilingual scholars from 39 to 51—which she described as an “audacious” objective—and for students with disabilities from 36 to 52.
In noting that the “Vision of a Learner” as part of a five-year strategic plan is aspirational in scope, she told the committee that progress is being made. “The district is becoming more aligned” with steps being taken to make students and staff “feel a greater sense of belonging,” she said.
Acquiring and retaining talent, ensuring that facilities are modernized and safe and developing equitable resources and education programs are among her highest-priority goals for 2024-25 and beyond, she said.
She took a moment to express pride in revealing that the district is “in year 12 of an award for our budgeting.”
Committee Members Maureen Binienda and Dianna Biancheria both questioned Superintendent Monárrez’s phrasing in asserting that “in the Worcester Public Schools, we will continue to chase achievement, not accountability.”
“You can’t have one without the other,” Binienda said. “The two have to exist together.”
She also asked why “smart goals” are not being employed. Monárrez explained that in her opinion, these “hold back” rather than encourage people “to stretch.” Dr. Yeu Kue added that the state continues to recommend that teachers write smart goals.
“It’s difficult to evaluate without smart goals and without percentages,” Binienda responded. She further inquired about the timing of updated “star data,” asking why it couldn’t be made available sooner than the end of the school year—an apparent reference to the USS targeting system. Monárrez replied that “for my evaluation,” the information is only required at the beginning and close of the school year.
“But I want that data to see if progress is being made,” Binienda said, proposing a motion for star-data numbers to be shared in January or February instead of June or July.
Biancheria, meanwhile, questioned the superintendent’s use of the phrase “chasing achievement, not accountability.”
“Everyone is accountable,” she said. “Why use that phrase?”
Monárrez clarified that accountability “is a multiple-use word” with implications about how the district is meeting its mission.
Agreeing with Binienda on the need for timely data, Biancheria added, “I’m a data person.”
Ultimately, the motion for earlier star data was voted down, with Binienda, Biancheria, and Kathy Roy voting in favor, while the rest opposed. The same three members also voted against approving the superintendent’s mid-cycle review.
Rod Lee is a career journalist, a veteran of the media scene in Central Massachusetts and the author of seven books including the recently published “Gil Cristopher,” a novel about the difficulties associated with aging. He can be contacted at rodlee1963@gmail.com
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