The government’s No Child Left Behind Act is the latest federal invasion into local education. Poorly understood, hastily implemented and punitively judgmental, the act designates schools for “improvement” (aka failure) based not just on the whole school population, but, as many Maine communities have recently learned, on the performance of small student subsets within the school population.

One of these groups is children with disabilities; a group of students that the federal government stipulates must have separate and individualized education treatment under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1974. While the federal government has never funded its obligation under IDEA, the Bangor School Department has long recognized the value of these children and created consolidated programs in its schools for maximum instructional effect. Some Maine schools have learned that housing these programs results in a subset of special children who cannot possibly meet the imposed standards of No Child Left Behind but whose performance creates the impression of school failure. The James F. Doughy School is a case in point.

Over two years, approximately 325 JFDS students were tested, and the results used for No Child Left Behind accountability. In Reading, JFDS students scored seven percentage points above the No Child Left Behind performance target. In Mathematics, the students were 11 points above the target. According to the state’s own achievement projections, the JFDS will meet No Child Left Behind performance targets in Reading and Mathematics for the next five years!

So how does the JFDS end up on the “monitor” list? First, through sound instructional design, it offers special programs to a population of children from all Bangor. Second, predictably, this subgroup does not meet the state standard used for all children. Under No Child Left Behind, if a subgroup is below target, the entire school is below standard. This judgment is both unfair and abusive.

The James F. Doughty School offers an outstanding education to Bangor children. The teachers and administrators are not only highly qualified but bring strong personal commitment and concern for every child. JFDS students have moved on to Bangor High School where their achievement has elevated the academic reputation of that school. Unfortunately, the JFDS has been caught in the technical web of No Child Left Behind because it offers a fine program to special needs children. This will not change.

These children work very hard as do all Bangor students, and we are proud of their accomplishments.

To us, they are not failures but successful scholars. While we always seek improvement, we will not compromise the high quality of the James F. Doughty School to address the narrow-minded judgment of No Child Left Behind.

This commentary was signed by Martha G. Newman, chairman of the Bangor School Committee; vice chairman Phyllis M. Shubert; School Superintendent Robert Ervin, Ed.D.; and school committee members Susan A. Carlisle, Phyllis S. Guerette, Ellen J.H. Tobin, James F. Cox and Christine H. Szal.