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Passing Notes
A Newsletter from MBAE December 2009 |
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Just as the year comes to a close and everyone wants to get away for the holidays, we are facing a critical juncture in education reform. With the Race to the Top application due January 19th, the Legislature is still less than halfway through the process of approving an education reform bill that must include provisions to allow restructuring of failing schools and raise charter school caps. So, while everyone at MBAE hopes you enjoy the holidays over the next two weeks, we must ask you to keep these two issues in mind and take whatever action you can to make sure Massachusetts doesn't squander the opportunity to make significant progress in public education. In This Issue
- Education Reform Bill Waiting for House Action
- Race to the Top Applications Due from States January 19
- MBAE Invites You to Forum on Charter and School-Based District Reform
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM EVERYONE AT MBAE!
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| Education Reform Bill Pending In House |
| MBAE Urges Restoration of Reforms to Improve School Performance |
On November 17th, the Massachusetts Senate passed, and sent to the House, its version of legislation originally introduced in July by Governor Deval Patrick. Unfortunately, the Senate's version diluted the most essential tools required for turning around low performing schools. MBAE has met with key legislators, about bill language that must be changed to avoid hurting our Race to the Top and school improvement chances, and is working hard with like-minded groups to get a strong bill passed as soon as possible. There is a possibility that the bill will be reported out of House Ways and Means over the holidays with a deadline for amendments occurring before the House resumes formal sessions January 6th. The bill has to be through conference committee, passed by both chambers and signed by the Governor no later than Jan 12 (which is cutting it VERY close) to have any impact on Race to the Top.
How You Can Help:
Engage Your Corporate Lobbyists - If your company has Beacon Hill lobbyists, please make sure they are working with others in the business community to counteract the extraordinary pressure on this issue from opponents. MBAE is happy to provide information.
Contact your legislator
- House and Senate - with your message
Send a Letter to the Editor
- Or talk to your local reporter about the bill -
Urge your legislators to support a strong and meaningful education reform bill that includes the tools necessary for turning around underperforming schools, lifting the cap on charter schools, and providing a framework for increased innovation in public schools.
Preserve the provisions that remove obstacles to charter school expansion.
Remove management restrictions to give school leaders the ability, which all successful executives need, to make personnel and contract decisions in the best interest of children.
Restore the reform that was present in the Education Committee's version but was lost on the Senate floor.
READ Summaries and MBAE's Statements Here! |
| Massachusetts Racing to Meet January 19th Deadline for Race to the Top |
| MBAE Supports Bold Application for Transformative Change in Education |
 Since the Race to the Top was announced almost a year ago, this $4.35 billion competitive grant program has captured the imagination of education reformers across the country and presented real opportunity for progress in cash-strapped states willing to meet the required eligibility criteria for this federal economic stimulus program. Since demonstrating that the "conditions" are present for closing achievement gaps and meeting other goals is critical to the state's chances for an award, the Race to the Top creates great urgency to pass the education reform bill so its provisions for charter schools and turnaround schools can be used to strengthen the state's competitive advantage. There are two other related parts of the process that will demand attention from employers in the days ahead.
Public Comment Last week, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education issued a request for public comments with a January 4 deadline. Please consider sharing your opinions! MBAE has summarized the competition and encouraged state leaders to leverage this opportunity to transform our state's educational system. Our summaries and public comments can be found here.
Memorandum of Understanding: Every state is required to enter into an MOU with their local school districts specifying that the district agrees to use funds they receive to implement the state's proposal. Resistance to this reciprocal bargain is occurring in some communities. There is an important role business can play in encouraging superintendents, school committees and local unions to sign on to what is a very flexible agreement and take full advantage of this unprecedented opportunity.
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Charter Public Schools & School-Based District Reform - January 7 |
| MBAE Co-Sponsors Forum Featuring Panel and National Ed Reform Leader |
 Join MBAE, the Pioneer Institute, Massachusetts Public Charter Schools Association and Democrats for Education Reform(DFER) at this program sponsored by Burns & Levinson. Whitney Tilson co-founder of Democrats for Education Reform, a founding member of Teach for America, and a board member of KIPP Academy charter school in New York City will be keynote speaker. A leading voice and blogger in education reform, he will discuss the role of charter schools in bringing about improved educational opportunities for students. A discussion among a panel of education and policy experts will be moderated by Linda Noonan, Executive Director of MBAE. Focusing on the issue of school-based district reforms and charter schools, will be panelists Karla Baehr, Deputy Commissioner of DESE; Kevin Andrews, Headmaster, Neighborhood House Charter School; Tom McDonald, former Barnstable Superintendent of Schools and Paul Toner, Vice President of the Massachusetts Teachers Association.
This event is free and light lunch will be provided. RSVP by December 31 to The Pioneer Institute or call 617-723-2277 ext. 217. |
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Follow MBAE at MBAENews!
 Become a fan! Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education! | |
| MBAE Thanks Our Supporters |
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MBAE's work is made possible by the financial support of generous individuals and -
Citizens Bank
Comcast
The Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation
Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation
EMC Corporation
IBM
Intel
MassMutual Financial Group
Microsoft
Nellie Mae Education Foundation
Shields Healthcare Group
Slowey/McManus
SolidWorks
TD Banknorth
The Barr Foundation
The Boston Foundation
Verizon
You can support MBAE every time you search the web or shop online. Just start at www.goodsearch.com for searches or www.goodshop.com for shopping and designate the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education as the charity you want to support. A percentage of advertising revenues and purchases will be donated to MBAE! | |
MBAE is committed to a high quality public education system that will prepare all students to engage successfully in a global economy and society. We bring together business and education leaders to promote education policies and practices based on measurable standards of achievement, accountability for performance, and equitable educational opportunities for all students. | | |
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