Since the January 14th enactment of the state's newest education reform legislation, An Act Relative to the Achievement Gap, and the submission of the state's Race to the Top application on January 19th, education activity has lost the frenzied urgency that only deadlines can generate. While we wait to find out whether Massachusetts is a finalist in the Race to the Top competition, MBAE is releasing a report with significant implications for meeting our goal of an effective teacher in every classroom in the Commonwealth.
In This Issue
- MBAE Releases Report on Human Capital Policies in Boston Public Schools
- A Few Items of Interest - For Your Information
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| Human Capital in Boston Public Schools |
| Rethinking How to Attract, Develop and Retain Effective Teachers |
Today, MBAE and the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) issued a report on Boston Public School policies that have an impact on teacher quality. The report concluded that while the district has many positive, strategic policies already in place, changes can be made to help the district do a better job attracting and retaining effective teachers. The 52-page report focuses on the areas governing teaching that can be most directly transformed by better policies, including hiring, assignment, compensation and evaluations.
At two public forums where the report was discussed, MBAE emphasized that there is no better time than now to address the issue of increasing the number of effective teachers and leaders in our schools. Federal economic stimulus funding is available to help states and districts meet the requirement to improve teacher effectiveness and ensure "the equitable distribution of qualified teachers for all students, particularly students who are most in need." The recommendations for action in Boston are therefore relevant guidelines for districts across the Commonwealth.
MBAE also believes the report is timely based on strong evidence that improving the quality of teaching and school leadership is the most effective way to raise student achievement and to make sure all students have the knowledge and skills they need to progress at grade level. We hope that this document can serve as a resource for Boston parents, teachers, administrators and community leaders as the district seeks to align its human capital policies with the goal of ensuring an effective teacher in every classroom!
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| Items of Interest |
| A Few Brief Notices for Your Information |
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Click the titles below to find out more about some items of interest to anyone interested in education trends and activities that affect Massachusetts youth!
Digital Nation: Life on the Virtual Frontier
 A year-long project supported by the Verizon Foundation is being broadcast on PBS Frontline. Digital Nation: Life on the Virtual Frontier examines the magnitude and speed with which digital media has permeated our culture, and takes an in-depth look at its implications. The project has unfolded over the past year through a series of online video reports and user-submitted stories to a special PBS Web site. Issues examined include the Web's impact on education, featuring an interview with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, among others.
Success for Life: A Call for Collaborative Action
 This report presented by the United Way's Action Planning team proposes a collaborative action plan on behalf of Massachusetts youth. Developed with input, advice and ideas from more than 100 citizens from across the state as well as the resources, studies and best practices of countless youth organizations and initiatives, this call for collaborative action is relevant and responsive to the needs and challenges of individuals, communities and the Commonwealth. The United Way's intention is that the information and ideas advanced herein will serve as a universal blueprint for action providing anyone, anywhere with a glimpse of what is necessary and of what is possible.
EdNews You Can Use
Next month, MBAE will be introducing a new newsletter that will feature recent research findings and outline what these mean for Massachusetts. As readers of Passing Notes, we hope you will find this new addition useful, and we will welcome your submissions and suggestions. Passing Notes will continue to come to you monthly to provide timely information about key education issues to the business community as part of our commitment to a high quality education for every child! |
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