HERE AT COMMONWEALTH we are great believers in open debate; that’s why we run so many opinion pieces. But sometimes the debate becomes so spirited that people want us to step in and become referees. One such instance was the recent back and forth between Jessica Tang, the president of the Boston Teachers Union, and Liam Kerr,
Oversight of Lawrence schools shifting to state-appointed board
Riley leaving after six years, may seek state education commissioner’s post
EDUCATION OFFICIALS UNVEILED the next chapter in state oversight of the Lawrence schools on Wednesday with the announcement that the state receiver, Jeff Riley, will be stepping down at the end of the school year in June and new state-appointed board will oversee the district. The state took control of the city’s struggling school system
Policymaking by presumption
The Gateway Cities Journal
In 2002, Massachusetts voters went to the ballot box and passed an initiative requiring schools to deliver all instruction in English. While there wasn’t much evidence that this would improve learning, voters were still sold on the idea that professional educators didn’t know how to do their job; allowing students to learn math and other
Mass. rating plan deemed unfair to high-poverty schools
Report faults state system for not using ‘growth’ as bigger factor
MASSACHUSETTS GETS A poor grade from a Washington-based policy organization on how its plan to comply with a new federal education law treats schools with high rates of poverty. But a number of education policy thinkers in the state are pushing back against the report and say its message undermines an important pillar of education reform
Locally accountable for education-led renewal
The Gateway Cities Journal
The fate of our Gateway Cities lies in their schools. From growing a skilled workforce to maintaining healthy neighborhoods, public education will be the deciding factor. Significant progress has been made, but a lot more needs to happen to put these school systems in a stronger position to drive economic growth and renewal. Some of
Haverhill Education Coalition working to promote excellence
New organization shows the promise of local accountability initiatives
The Haverhill Education Coalition is the latest example of grassroots leadership emerging in a Gateway City to support public education. Founded in February to help promote and advance high-quality education in Haverhill, the coalition seeks to “increase parent and citizen engagement in the public schools, increase transparency of school data and information, promote higher standards
MICCR hosts third annual convening
Project leaders come together
Senior academic researchers from across the country converged in Massachusetts this week for the third annual Massachusetts Institute of College and Career Readiness (MICCR). Over the past three years, these researchers have partnered with local Gateway City educators to develop and evaluate a range of projects designed to ensure students graduate well-prepared for post-secondary success.
Voc-tech tension
Massachusetts vocational schools are a big success story, but are they shutting out those who might need them most?
KELSEY CLARK, A SENIOR at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, is showing a visitor work from her graphic design portfolio. There is a pointillism-style poster she drew for assignment to promote a rock concert (she says it left her practically drawing dots in her sleep). A brightly colored infographic poster that she
Seeking out the educational accountability muse
The Gateway Cities Journal
“Sometimes we live no particular way but our own” goes the Grateful Dead lyric which, in a nut shell, describes the educational accountability vibe in Massachusetts’s plan for implementing the new federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). ESSA invites states to hold schools accountable for delivering a wider range of learning. In contrast to a host of states that
The Codcast: Missed opportunities with new K-12 plan
Ben Forman talks MA state plan
Massachusetts is about to submit to the US Department of Education its plan for monitoring and holding schools accountable under the new Every Student Succeeds Act, the law passed in late 2015 that replaced the No Child Left Behind law. The new law, which, like the No Child statute, is really a reauthorization of landmark