Gov. Deval Patrick and Mayor Tom Menino have collaborated to establish a unique program uniting Madison Park Vocational Technical High School and Roxbury Community College. Entitled RoxMAPP (Massachusetts Academic Polytech Pathway), the program is expected to accelerate the preparation of high school students for technology based employment opportunities.
Unfortunately, a Globe editorial has continued its attack on RCC by expressing unjustified skepticism of the plan because of RCCs administrative problems. However, there is no direct correlation between the management problems of an educational institution and its academic results.
Recently the dean of Harvard College, Evelynn Hammonds, resigned purportedly because of her violation of Harvard’s policy that assures the security of professors’ e-mail accounts. While that administrative matter was a big issue on campus, no one asserted that the academic quality of Harvard suffered.
The 2013 graduating class at RCC was the largest in its history. Many students went on to continue their education at prominent universities or into good jobs. There is no sound reason to believe that academic results will not be sustained or improved under RoxMAPP.
The association with RCC solves a major problem for Madison Park. A 20-year-old drop-out will not want to attend class with a 14-year-old “youngster,” but joint enrollment at RCC places the student with peers.
RoxMAPP is a sound plan that deserves an optimistic report. Time will tell whether the plan meets its expectations.
