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State Decertifies Programs at CRLS

Citing safety violations, inadequate curriculum and uncertified teachers, state auditors have cancelled or placed on probation all of the vocational education programs at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (CRLS), according to a report released yesterday.

The state decertified the electrical and graphic arts programs, since neither had a qualified teacher when auditors came in October. CRLS had no electrical teacher at the time, although one was hired soon after. And the graphic arts teacher was not certified in graphic arts.

Cambridge Superintendent of Schools Bobbie J. D'Alessandro called the news "devastating" and "staggering." She said the audit uncovered major problems, including safety measures that are "not in control."

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"I had no idea it was so significant across all curriculum areas," she said.

School committee member Alfred B. Fantini called it "one of the worst reports I've ever read."

The state also placed the automotive, carpentry, computer, culinary, drafting and electronics programs on probation. The ninth-grade technical arts survey--the only other vocational program at CRLS--had already been placed on probation last year.

Accreditation brings $100,000 in state aid to technical arts programs at CRLS. And in order to get many jobs, students need to have gone through a state-certified program in their field.

Although education officials had expected the report to identify some infractions, the audit was unexpectedly severe and widespread in its criticisms.

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