SOUTHWICK – Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional Superintendent John Barry is joining area superintendents in taking a stand in regard to educational changes and testing.
Barry told the regional school committee last week that he met with 10 superintendents recently to discuss changes in education in Massachusetts.
Between Common Core standards, a new evaluation system, English immersion and more, Barry said it’s all happening quickly.
“It’s coming at us pretty fast and it’s difficult to keep up with,” Barry said.
The group of superintendents has decided to make their concerns known to the state.
“This group wants to reach out and deliver concerns about PARCC and unfunded mandates,” Barry said, adding that there is too much required testing that taxes both students and teachers.
A letter is being drafted that Barry said will go to all the school committees, including Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional, for approval. Once approved, the letter will be sent to the Hampshire Educational Collaborative in Northampton.
“We will give them the option to sign also,” Barry said.
The letter will be targeted to the Mass. Board of Education, commissioners and the secretary of education.
“We want to wait until new people are in their positions and the new governor is in office,” Barry said of the timing of the letter.
“Basically, we’re saying it’s too much, too fast,” he said. “I think er’re doing too much testing and we’re getting away from the fundamentals.”
