Graduation story painted a negative picture of education at Buckfield High School.

In a story published June 11 about the Buckfield High School graduation exercises, the Sun Journal reported an overview of the exercises and closed the story with some statistics. Amplifying Buckfield’s statistics was the fact that no article written about similar graduation activities in neighboring districts included such data.

SAD 39 adopted a standards-based curriculum in 1998. A standards-based curriculum requires that students demonstrate mastery of a set of carefully articulated standards that are aligned to Maine’s Learning Results. To obtain a diploma in SAD 39, a student must show through a variety of assessments, demonstrations and work samplings that he or she has acquired the knowledge and skill set established in our standards. A diploma is awarded only when the student has met these standards.

Our district’s vision and policies provide flexible timelines, accommodating student’s individual needs, and therefore, a student at Buckfield High School could graduate in as few as three years or as long as five or more years. While many of our students strive to meet the standards in the traditional four-year period, not all students are able to accomplish this for a variety of reasons. I commend our teachers and administrators who work closely with every student to assure they have multiple opportunities to demonstrate their understanding.

Yes, 28 students participated in the graduation exercises and graduated in the traditional four-year period, but an additional eight students are expected to meet the standards through summer work or an additional (fifth) year of studies. These students deserve no less recognition for their efforts and successes.

SAD 39 awards diplomas year-round and I suspect several will be awarded this summer, while others may elect to participate in next year’s graduation exercises instead. Of the remaining students, some may elect to continue their course of studies through alternative means, including adult education.

While Buckfield’s course of study is rigorous, it is not unattainable. Our diploma has meaning and those who attain the standards may be assured they have the skill set necessary to be successful in whatever post graduate work they elect to pursue. Unfortunately, the Sun Journal’s inclusion of graduate rate data in the article not only distracts the reader from the highlights of the graduation ceremony, it perhaps unintentionally, paints a negative picture of what I believe is a very positive practice of holding students to high standards within a flexible and individualized program.

Richard Colpitts is superintendent of schools for SAD 39 in Buckfield, Sumner and Hartford.