Gateway City leaders from the Merrimack Valley gathered yesterday for a conversation on the power of education accountability, and how change brought about by the impending implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) can help advance the Gateway City vision for educational excellence. While many themes similar to those surfaced in Worcester were discussed, here are
Recapping the Fourth Annual Gateway Cities Innovation Awards and Summit
Recognizing this year's award winners
A warm thank you to all of the Gateway City leaders who travelled to Springfield last week for the fourth annual Gateway Cities Innovation Awards and Summit. As always, your spirit and optimism were infectious. We especially want to recognize this year’s award winners. For those who were unable to join us, please take a
Calling all Gateway City Leaders
An action Guide to Workforce Development Transformation in Massachusetts
In Gateway City regions with an aging and under-skilled labor force, workforce development is an essential ingredient for future economic growth. This new “action guide” provides a helpful playbook for local leaders looking to engage in efforts to transform these systems. In plain English, the report breaks down workforce development to give municipal leaders a
Expunging juvenile records
The MassCJRC Journal
A who’s who crowd of criminal justice leaders gathered at the Seaport Hotel on Monday for the annual fundraising breakfast for the Chelsea-based nonprofit Roca, which works to steer high-risk young people toward positive pursuits. Addressing the audience, Gov. Charlie Baker reflected on recent efforts to increase prison education-a practice that has long been understood to
MassINC Releases Rebuilding Renewal in Lowell
Over the last decade, Massachusetts has fundamentally shifted its understanding of the needs and opportunities of Gateway Cities. But, despite this focus, economic conditions in these communities remain fundamentally weak. As recent efforts have not moved the needle, we must ask what it will take to help Gateway Cities resume their key function as drivers
Rebuilding Renewal
An Analysis of State Investment in Gateway Cities and a Work Plan for Delivering Transformative Development
Over the last decade, Massachusetts has fundamentally shifted its understanding of the needs and opportunities of small-to-medium-sized cities anchoring the Commonwealth’s regional economies. The state now places considerable priority on efforts to make these so-called Gateway Cities stronger drivers of growth. But, despite this focus, economic conditions in Gateway Cities remain fundamentally weak. As recent
Unpacking the story behind the data
The MassCJRC Journal
The Council on State Governments Justice Reinvestment working group assembled on Tuesday for their second formal meeting. CSG presented new data focused largely on sentencing. The conversation centered heavily around recidivism, with the CSG analysts providing figures that show repeat offenders represent three-quarters of new convictions in Massachusetts, a finding consistent with previous MassINC research. To
MassINC shares findings from pretrial research at legislative briefing
On April 5th, the Harm Reduction Caucus, the Progressive Caucuses, the Black and Latino Caucus, and the Women’s Caucus Taskforce on Justice Involved Women co-hosted a legislative briefing on efforts to improve the pretrial process in Massachusetts. Commissioner Dolan and Chief Justice Dawley provided updates on work at the Probation Department and the Trial Court,
Highlights from The Third Annual Massachusetts Criminal Justice Reform Coalition Policy Summit
The MassCJRC Journal
Last Friday, over 200 leaders gathered for the Third Annual Massachusetts Criminal Justice Reform Coalition Policy Summit. Kevin Burke, a coalition co-chair and former Secretary of Public Safety, kicked off the summit by noting that this year’s convening held special significance. Massachusetts is entering a crucial phase of reform with the Council of State Governments conducting a
Harnessing the Power of Data for Justice Reinvestment in Massachusetts
Data are increasingly the lifeblood of an effective criminal justice system. Modern technology allows agencies to collect and exchange high-quality, actionable information. These data help frontline workers make informed decisions that reduce risk. And they provide managers and policymakers with vital information for the optimal allocation of resources. The fifth installment in our Justice Reinvestment Policy