Boston homeschooling parents fumed over ‘unprofessional, intimidating’ letter

Printed from: https://newbostonpost.com/2016/06/28/boston-homeschooling-parents-fumed-over-unprofessional-intimidating-letter/

BOSTON — Superintendent of Schools Tommy Chang said Monday night via social media he will “address” what one city homeschooling parent described as an “unprofessional” and “threatening” letter regarding testing requirements.

Chang issued an unsolicited response after being tagged in a Twitter post by a parent:

A source first alerted a NewBostonPost reporter to the letter on Tuesday morning. A Boston Public Schools spokesperson later that afternoon declined to confirm on-the-record the veracity of the letter, which was written by Jessica Escobar-Diaz, administrative assistant for Boston Public School’s Department on Educational Options.

“Per order of Freddie Fuentes the Director of Educational Options, he is requiring all homeschooled students take the IOWA Standardized test for your end of the year assessment,” Escobar-Diaz wrote. “THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS!!!

“I have provided some general information below, but please feel free to visit their website for more at http://www.setontesting.com/iowa-tests/.”

A message left Tuesday afternoon with Escobar-Diaz requesting verification of the letter went unanswered.

On Tuesday night Richard Weir, spokesman for Boston Public Schools, said the letter was “sent in error, and only to a handful of families.”




Weir later forwarded an “amended version” of the letter:

Assessments for 2016-17

A message left Tuesday night requesting comment from the parent who happened to alert Chang of the letter has not yet been returned.

The district has not yet responded to inquiries as to who approved mailing out the first letter.

Developing…