Thailand RPCV Jeffrey Nellhaus is a firm believer in the MCAS testing system — in part because he designed it — and doesn’t want to see it watered down



Nellhaus, 58, is a firm believer in the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System testing system — in part because he designed it — and doesn’t want to see it watered down. “It’s a strong, reliable measure of student achievement,” Nellhaus said. “While it is criticized by some, it’s been touted nationally as one of the gold standards of testing programs.” Opponents of high-stakes testing are hopeful Patrick will re-examine the test. Among more than a dozen study groups Patrick has created as part of his 10-year vision, the Democratic governor has devoted two to study the MCAS test. Today, students must pass the English and math sections of the MCAS exam to be eligible to graduate. Beginning with the class of 2010, students also must pass a science test. “We have no basis to pull back,” Nellhaus said of preliminary science test results that he is analyzing. Nellhaus acknowledges he’s a numbers guy when it comes to decision making. “I believe data speaks for itself,” he said. “I certainly have a data orientation. My training from the beginning has been analytical.”

Thailand RPCV Jeffrey Nellhaus is a firm believer in the MCAS testing system — in part because he designed it — and doesn’t want to see it watered down

Nellhaus steady amid changing education plans

NEWS ANALYSIS

By Ken Maguire THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nellhaus is a firm believer in the MCAS testing system — in part because he designed it — and doesn’t want to see it watered down.

BOSTON— Gov. Deval L. Patrick’s big plans for public education include lengthening the school day and creating a universal pre-kindergarten program. He’s assembled a team of high-profile advisers to help, and appointed a new chairman of the Board of Education.

Amid what could be groundbreaking changes, though, somebody’s got to turn on the lights in the morning and keep the engines running. That’s Jeffrey Nellhaus, the state’s new acting commissioner of education.

Nellhaus takes over from David Driscoll, who retired Friday after 43 years in the field — the past eight as education commissioner. Nellhaus, who has been with the Department of Education for 20 years, has served as deputy commissioner for the past two. “He’s the extrovert, I’m the introvert,” Nellhaus said, comparing himself with the outspoken Driscoll.


In substance, however, they share a pragmatic approach. Nellhaus, 58, is a firm believer in the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System testing system — in part because he designed it — and doesn’t want to see it watered down.

“It’s a strong, reliable measure of student achievement,” Nellhaus said. “While it is criticized by some, it’s been touted nationally as one of the gold standards of testing programs.”

Opponents of high-stakes testing are hopeful Patrick will re-examine the test. Among more than a dozen study groups Patrick has created as part of his 10-year vision, the Democratic governor has devoted two to study the MCAS test.

Today, students must pass the English and math sections of the MCAS exam to be eligible to graduate. Beginning with the class of 2010, students also must pass a science test.

“We have no basis to pull back,” Nellhaus said of preliminary science test results that he is analyzing.

Nellhaus acknowledges he’s a numbers guy when it comes to decision making.

“I believe data speaks for itself,” he said. “I certainly have a data orientation. My training from the beginning has been analytical.”

Jaime Gass, director of education research at the Boston think tank Pioneer Institute, said he’s confident in Nellhaus’ abilities.

“Considering the topsy-turvy state of the commissioner’s search … and Beacon Hill getting wobbly on MCAS, I think everyone’s relieved that Jeff’s steady leadership is at the helm,” Gass said.

Before joining the Department of Education in 1986, Nellhaus taught high school chemistry in Vermont and worked with the Peace Corps as a teacher trainer in southern India and as an educational coordinator in Thailand.

Nellhaus, who grew up in Hull, learned to speak Telugu while in India and Thai in Thailand, in part while practicing a favorite hobby, cooking. As he learned the names of the foods, he learned the language.

He worked for a short time at the Common Ground restaurant in Brattleboro, Vt., turning it into a workers’ cooperative. Eventually, he got a master’s degree in education from Harvard. Nellhaus lives with his wife in the Jamaica Plain section of Boston.

The state Board of Education, with its new chairman, S. Paul Reville, in place, is relaunching its nationwide search for a replacement for Driscoll.

Nellhaus said he hasn’t decided whether to seek the permanent job, but he noted there’s a lot of work to do in the interim. The teacher licensing system, for example, needs fixing.

“We’d like it streamlined and make it more simplified,” Nellhaus said.

Lowell Superintendent Karla Brooks Baehr said Nellhaus has developed “a good reputation for clarity and responsiveness” when districts have come to him with problems, usually MCAS-related.

His challenge, Baehr said, will be devising ways to help struggling schools improve. The MCAS tests identify weaknesses, but stop there, she said.

“The task has turned to how to support districts and schools to improve them,” she said. “Naming the problem is easier than helping to solve the problem. My sense is department staff want to be in that position. The time is right for that focus.”

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: September, 2007; Peace Corps Thailand; Directory of Thailand RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Thailand RPCVs; Education; Massachusetts

When this story was posted in November 2007, this was on the front page of PCOL:




Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers

---

Dodd vows to filibuster Surveillance Act Senator Chris Dodd vowed to filibuster the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that would grant retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that helped this administration violate the civil liberties of Americans. "It is time to say: No more. No more trampling on our Constitution. No more excusing those who violate the rule of law. These are fundamental, basic, eternal principles. They have been around, some of them, for as long as the Magna Carta. They are enduring. What they are not is temporary. And what we do not do in a time where our country is at risk is abandon them."

---

---

November 12, 2007: This Month's Top Stories Chris Dodd's service began with Peace Corps 9 Nov Matthew McCue called back to Iraq from Peace Corps 9 Nov Tschetter Visits Turkmenistan 9 Nov Lara Weber writes: Oprah Winfrey's stumble 9 Nov Heather Thompson works with P Diddy 7 Nov Karen Hughes' public diplomacy came to nothing 4 Nov James Rupert writes: Musharraf seizes power 3 Nov Martin Puryear is Man of Mysteries 2 Nov Sarah Chayes says Taliban score major victory 1 Nov John Sullivan runs Sudan Divestment Task Force. 30 Oct Tom Bissell writes: Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro 28 Oct Chris Shays to seek 12th term 25 Oct Helen Dudley can't stop giving 25 Oct Joseph Acaba named to STS-119 Shuttle Crew 22 Oct Vince Floriani in USA Today's All-USA Teacher Team 22 Oct Kelly J. Morris writes "The Bight of Benin" 20 Oct Charles Shelan was Buddhist monk Wondam’s teacher 19 Oct Peace Corps returning to Liberia 18 Oct David Peckham started Village Bicycle Project 16 Oct Alberto Ibarguen announces grant for "Project Impunity" 15 Oct Campbell Memorial Park boosts ecotourism 15 Oct Bowers Family keep daughter's dream alive 15 Oct

---

What is the greatest threat facing us now? "People will say it's terrorism. But are there any terrorists in the world who can change the American way of life or our political system? No. Can they knock down a building? Yes. Can they kill somebody? Yes. But can they change us? No. Only we can change ourselves. So what is the great threat we are facing? I would approach this differently, in almost Marshall-like terms. What are the great opportunities out there - ones that we can take advantage of?" Read more.

---

Senator Dodd's Peace Corps Hearings Read PCOL's executive summary of Senator Chris Dodd's hearings on July 25 on the Peace Corps Volunteer Empowerment Act and why Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter does not believe the bill would contribute to an improved Peace Corps while four other RPCV witnesses do. Highlights of the hearings included Dodd's questioning of Tschetter on political meetings at Peace Corps Headquarters and the Inspector General's testimony on the re-opening of the Walter Poirier III investigation.

---

Paul Theroux: Peace Corps Writer Paul Theroux began by writing about the life he knew in Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer. His first first three novels are set in Africa and two of his later novels recast his Peace Corps tour as fiction. Read about how Theroux involved himself with rebel politicians, was expelled from Malawi, and how the Peace Corps tried to ruin him financially in John Coyne's analysis and appreciation of one of the greatest American writers of his generation (who also happens to be an RPCV).

---

Ambassador revokes clearance for PC Director A post made on PCOL from volunteers in Tanzania alleges that Ambassador Retzer has acted improperly in revoking the country clearance of Country Director Christine Djondo. A statement from Peace Corps' Press Office says that the Peace Corps strongly disagrees with the ambassador’s decision. On June 8 the White House announced that Retzer is being replaced as Ambassador. Latest: Senator Dodd has placed a hold on Mark Green's nomination to be Ambassador to Tanzania.

---

Suspect confesses in murder of PCV Search parties in the Philippines discovered the body of Peace Corps Volunteer Julia Campbell near Barangay Batad, Banaue town on April 17. Director Tschetter expressed his sorrow at learning the news. “Julia was a proud member of the Peace Corps family, and she contributed greatly to the lives of Filipino citizens in Donsol, Sorsogon, where she served,” he said. Latest: Suspect Juan Duntugan admits to killing Campbell. Leave your thoughts and condolences .

---

He served with honor One year ago, Staff Sgt. Robert J. Paul (RPCV Kenya) carried on an ongoing dialog on this website on the military and the peace corps and his role as a member of a Civil Affairs Team in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have just received a report that Sargeant Paul has been killed by a car bomb in Kabul. Words cannot express our feeling of loss for this tremendous injury to the entire RPCV community. Most of us didn't know him personally but we knew him from his words. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. He was one of ours and he served with honor.

Read the stories and leave your comments.