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Passing Notes
A Newsletter from MBAE May 2010 |
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The deadline is approaching for the second round of the Race to the Top and Massachusetts will be submitting a stronger application - focused on outcomes more than process - by the June 1 deadline. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has a description of the first and second proposals highlighting the changes planned for each section.
MBAE has compared our state's first proposal to the winning applications from Delaware and Tennessee, here. We also joined Associated Industries of Massachusetts and others in the business community in encouraging districts to participate, focusing on this list. We hope that Massachusetts will be selected for the $250 million award, and we are confident that the proposals developed for this competition will help us improve education in our state and to maintain our position as a leader in the nation!
In This Issue
- State Votes on Budget - Inserts Harmful Charter School Funding Change
- Early Literacy Key to College and Career Readiness
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| Senate Votes on Budget - Cuts Funds for Accountability | | MBAE Opposes Charter School Funding Change |
 In a late night session, the Massachusetts Senate cut funding for the Office of School and District Accountability (SDA) at a time when it is charged with monitoring and supporting progress at the 35 schools identified earlier this year for intervention. MBAE appreciates the work of Senator Michael Knapik to maintain level funding of $1.189 million for SDA in the FY11 budget. The Senator sponsored an amendment (EDU 439) to restore funding for this critical function.
In 2007, with a budget of $2.9 million, the SDA's predecessor annually performed 40 district reviews. This budget has been slashed by almost 60% over the past four years, with the Senate Ways and Mean proposal for the SDA providing a new low of $989,000. The House budget at $1,072,000 is only slightly higher but we hope that figure will be adopted by the Conference Committee.
Charter Schools were put at risk by another action taken on a voice vote that would make a portion of charter school funding contingent on annual appropriations. This threat to charter school growth comes less than 6 months after the recent education reform law was enacted to lift the charter school cap in the districts where there is the most demand and need for these schools. In addition, this action undermines the Legislature's commitment when it passed the education reform law to strengthen the state's position in competitions for federal funds. Additional information on charter school issues can be found through the Massachusetts Charter Public Schools Association.
MBAE urges you to contact your Representative and Senator and urge them to vote to remove this harmful provision from the state budget as the process moves to the House and Conference Committee. In difficult fiscal times, we must resist the urge for expediency and focus state funds where they will deliver the maximum return on investment for Massachusetts students.
Visit the Senate and House Budget Sites for updates and more information.
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| Early Literacy the Key to College and Career Readiness |
Turning the Page: Refocusing Massachusetts for Reading Success
There is growing evidence that children who read at grade level by the end of Grade 3 are more likely to be successful in school. Research shows that 74% of children who read poorly in third grade continue to read poorly in upper grades, making it far less likely that they will graduate from high school, become productive citizens and develop skills essential for contributing to the 21st century economy. A new report, Early Warning! Why Reading by the End of Third Grade Matters issued by the Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Center, identifies early childhood education as one of the key factors in helping students reach proficiency in reading by the time they need to start mastering more complex material. | |
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| MBAE Thanks Our Supporters | |
MBAE's work is made possible by the financial support of generous individuals and -
Abt Associates
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Bank of America
Barr Foundation
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The Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation
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Noyce Foundation
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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! |
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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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