Despite efforts by the Legislature aimed at adequately funding school building projects, “students in Boston and the Gateway Cities continue to learn in buildings that are deteriorating, lacking in basic features, and often cramped and overcrowded,” according to a new report by the MassINC Policy Center.
education reform
Posted inEducation
Growing race, class gaps in college graduation rates
ACHIEVEMENT SCORES AND educational attainment levels for Massachusetts students of all backgrounds have improved since the early 2000s, but large gaps remain and those for college graduation rates have grown […]
Posted inEducation
Riley casts vision for education change
WHEN JEFF RILEY took the reins as state education commissioner early last year he suggested it was time to turn the page on 25 years of education reform efforts, pointing […]
Posted inEconomy
Ed reform turncoat or just a more balanced position?
IN THE GREAT EDUCATION DEBATE that has animated American public life for the last several decades, the players roughly divide into two camps. The so-called “reformers” say education can, in […]
Posted inThe Download
Ed reform turncoat or just a more balanced position?
In the great education debate that has animated American public life for the last several decades, the players roughly divide into two camps. The so-called “reformers” say education can, in […]
Posted inEducation
Putting standardized testing to the test
WITH SPRING COMES the annual ritual of MCAS testing in Massachusetts schools. It’s how we gauge the performance of individual students as well as schools and districts. The assessment of […]
Posted inThe Download
Putting standardized testing to the test
With spring comes the annual ritual of MCAS testing in Massachusetts schools. It’s how we gauge the performance of individual students as well as schools and districts. The assessment of […]
Posted inEducation
Let’s test promising achievement-gap closing strategies
MASSACHUSETTS LAST PASSED a major overhaul on public education in 1993. That year, Bill Clinton became president. The World Wide Web began to take off. Whitney Houston’s single “I Will […]
Posted inEducation
Schools need to focus more on relevance than rigor
IN THIS CRAZY, chaotic and often perplexing age we live in teachers are required, more than ever before, to fill a larger role in our children’s lives. Teachers have always […]
Posted inThe Download
The Codcast: Riley’s collaborative ways
Jeff Riley won the backing last week of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to be the next state education commissioner based in large part on his work […]
Posted inOpinion
Preserve ‘Grand Bargain’ in education
IN 1993, THE Democratic-led Legislature, together with a Republican governor, entered into a “Grand Bargain” in education policy: The state would substantially increase education funding in exchange for schools using high standards and […]
Posted inEducation, Opinion
School committees support stronger, lasting reform
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS from across the Commonwealth are a varied but pragmatic bunch. During this budget season they are focused on balancing budgets and working with school administrators to reallocate […]
Posted inEducation
Charter backers get schooled
NEARLY A YEAR AGO, charter school proponents threatened to force a statewide debate on education issues by mounting a ballot campaign lift the cap on charters schools. Be careful what […]
Posted inEducation, Opinion
Stop the attack on teachers and schools
The beatings will continue until morale improves… -Unknown THESE ARE CHALLENGING times to be in education. Today, more than any other time in our history, education is in the national […]