Gateway City educators returned to school following the winter break pinching themselves. Just before the holidays, Gov. Baker signed the Student Opportunity Act (SOA), a landmark bill that promises to deliver $1.4 billion annually in new state aid. Districts now have until April 1 to file spending plans with the state detailing how they will
How Gateway City schools capitalize on new funding
Gateways Episode 45
This week on Gateways, we look ahead to implementation of the Student Opportunity Act. Passed by the legislature in November, the new law will provide Gateway City schools with millions of dollars in additional state aid beginning in 2020.
With education bill-signing, cheers and challenges
State now must maintain funding and ensure it’s well spent
AFTER YEARS OF false starts and Beacon Hill standoffs on a growing funding crisis that has seen school districts shed hundreds of teachers and pare back vital curriculum offerings to balance budgets, Gov. Charlie Baker signed landmark legislation on Tuesday committing the state to $1.5 billion in new aid to Massachusetts schools. There was a
MassINC Insights, Part II
Gateways Episode 40
In this second installment of MassINC Insights, we hear from the journalists and thought leaders of MassINC about the education funding debate.As lawmakers on Beacon Hill approach agreement on a school finance package, MassINC members dig in to the history of Massachusetts school funding that’s led
New education funding bill spells opportunity for Gateway Cities
Gateways Episode 33
This week on Gateways, Ben Forman talks with Rep. Antonio Cabral, chair of the Gateway Cities Legislative Caucus, about the state legislature's rollout of a long awaited education funding bill. The bill, known as the Student Opportunity Act, would provide school districts with high percentages of low-income students
A guide to help Gateway City schools capitalize on a major opportunity
The Gateway Cities Journal
This morning Gateway City leaders received hopeful news when the Joint Committee on Education unveiled a $1.5 billion plan to bring state aid in line with the resource needs of K-12 public school districts over a seven-year period. In the words of the State House News Service, Gateway Cities have been waiting 1,400 days for this announcement.
How student leaders changed the culture at a Lynn charter school
Gateways Episode 29
This week on Gateways, Juana and Ben chat with guest Hannah Parker about the importance of high standards in education. Hannah recently graduated from KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate, where she said she was shaped by the rigorous courses and and high standards. But as she progressed through school and
MassINC Research Provides Common Ground for Win-Win Chapter 70 Compromise
Uncovering the need for more focus and attention on local accountability
The dog days of summer are here. While parents, students, and a good number of teachers try to put school far out of mind, Massachusetts legislators are under the golden dome working through a once-in-a-generation education aid package. The sticking point seems to be “accountability”—some want schools to accept more supervision from the state in
Caradonio and the Lowell Citywide Family Council
Gateways Episode 24
The last installment in our local education accountability series begins with reflections from Ben and Juana on the journey. Then
Jim Caradonio, former Superintendent of the Worcester Public Schools, visits MassINC to share lessons from his long career in public education.
In Holyoke, arts education takes front seat
Non-profit helps integrate creativity into the regular curriculum
SIX-YEAR-OLD JUAN patted an inflatable ball as he peered out of his blue-rimmed glasses. Which way to send the ball? What could he knock down? Juan was playing “human bowling” in Kat Lorenzi’s kindergarten class in Holyoke. The objective was to get the ball to bounce off a few of his classmates, and figure out