EXETER-WEST GREENWICH REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
940 Nooseneck Hill Road
West Greenwich, RI 02817
401-397-5125
Fax 401-397-2407
TTY 1-800-745-5555
JAMES H. ERINAKES, II, M.Ed.
Superintendent of Schools
MARIE-ELENA J. AHERN, Ed.D.
Curriculum Director
CARMELLA FARRAR, M. Ed.
Director of Special Education
ROBERT V. ROSS, M.Ed.
Director of Administration
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Claudine Pande - Chairperson
Mark Rafanelli - Vice-Chairperson
Valerie Zuercher - Clerk
Theresa Donovan
Lee Kissinger
Diane Bampton Allen
Sheryl R. Green
PATRICIA J. RUIZZO
District Treasurer
September 10, 2015
A Message from the Superintendent Regarding Participation in State Testing
As many of you may know, the School Committee recently passed policy #7600: Participation in State Assessments
(http://s3.amazonaws.com/EWGRSDweb/contentweb/Policies/7600..pdf), requiring adherence to the state-approved
assessment system for all students with no provision for opting out of these requirements.
The legal basis for student participation is outlined in the policy. Most importantly, there is great concern over the
impact of nonparticipation on school classifications. To meet requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act of
2001, all states must have an approved accountability system that classifies schools according to a variety of
performance measures related to the approved state assessment system. Our district is proud of the classifications earned
by our schools. The high school has maintained Commended status, the highest classification possible, for the past two
years. The junior high school has earned Leading status, the second highest classification. Metcalf is classified as
Typical, and has moved from the lower end of the Typical range to the higher end – approaching the Leading category.
To be eligible for the highest two classifications, a school must also meet the Federal 95% participation in state
assessment requirement, as defined by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
Last year, the Rhode Island Department of Education received federal approval to suspend full implementation of the
classification system because the state was transitioning to a new assessment system. The waiver was valid for one year
only. Although we did not meet the 95% participation rate at any of our schools last year because of opt out requests, the
Rhode Island waiver prevents a negative impact on our classifications.
The federal waiver is no longer valid, and in order for any of our schools to maintain our outstanding classifications, we
must meet the 95% participation rate at each building. Failure to meet that requirement will result in a classification of
Typical* with an Alert, at best. This classification is certainly not indicative of the quality of our school system.
The issue of opting out of state assessments has spurred many discussions related to personal philosophies and parental
rights. It is hard to predict whether or not these discussions will result in changes to state and/or Federal policy which
would certainly inform local policy. In the meantime, however, the School Committee and the Superintendent have a
legal requirement “To provide for and assure the implementation of federal and state laws, the regulations of the board
of regents for elementary and secondary education, and of local school policies, programs, and directives,” (R.I.G.L. 162-9) and “To comply with provisions of federal and state law and local charter provisions and ordinances” (R.I.G.L. 162-11.
*The classification of Typical will be replaced by In Good Standing going forward.
Our Mission: Empowering Students: Dream…Reach…Succeed.
Exeter-West Greenwich Regional School District does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, race, religion,
national origin, color, creed, political affiliation, sexual orientation or disability in its employment policies.
In my many conversations with individual parents and groups of parents, I have been repeatedly asked to share my
personal perspective about the state assessment issue. I am a parent first and I have been a teacher and school/district
administrator for 26 years. My personal beliefs can be summarized as follows:
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
I do not believe that state testing results alone should be tied to graduation decisions. The state assessment
should be one of many data points that are used to determine whether a child has met minimum proficiency
levels, and state testing alone should not prohibit a diploma. At this point in time, there is no requirement
for achieving a minimum proficiency level on state assessments for graduation purposes.
Having standard assessment results to analyze student achievement trends against particular performance
standards and across classrooms, grade levels, schools and districts is vital to the process of identifying
strengths and needs to inform decisions related to curriculum, teacher and student supports, and
instruction. Having the full complement of achievement data helps us to make valid decisions aimed at
individual, school and district improvement.
Additionally, I have read through every letter or e-mail from parents expressing concern over the state assessment. Some
concerns are valid, and some are based on misinformation. Last year was our first year of administering the PARCC
assessment. As a result, Exeter-West Greenwich and many other districts have provided feedback to the Department of
Education that has resulted in significant improvements to the 2015-16 process, including a reduction to the number of
test sessions for mathematics and English Language Arts, as well as the consolidation from two separate testing
windows to one single testing window. We are also aware that the scheduling of test sessions at the high school
presented some unique challenges with some students missing other class instruction. This concern will be addressed as
we develop the 2015-16 test administration schedule.
Additional information regarding the state assessment requirement is forthcoming. Please stay informed and continue to
ask questions and offer recommendations. This issue will require ongoing and open communication so that we can all
understand the varying perspectives that exist. Most importantly, know that we all are working toward the same end – to
provide what is best for the children in our school district.
Sincerely,
James H. Erinakes, II
Superintendent of Schools
Our Mission: Empowering Students: Dream…Reach…Succeed.
Exeter-West Greenwich Regional School District does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, race, religion,
national origin, color, creed, political affiliation, sexual orientation or disability in its employment policies.