Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education


	Overview
	Current Projects
	Current Agenda
	Past Accomplishments

In addition to state-level advocacy efforts, MBAE administers programming that is closely aligned with our organization'scommitment to postsecondary readiness and data-driven decision making. These programs serve as a resource for school leaders and inform our contributions to state-level policy discussions.

Skills for College and Work Readiness - Educating a Qualified Workforce for the 21st Century
How can students acquire the skills and knowledge they must possess to compete in a global economy? Since passing the MCAS tests became a graduation requirement, are our students better prepared for college and work? These questions must be addressed to improve the education and preparation of students for the workplace they will enter. To focus attention on the critical connection between education and our region's economic health, MBAE surveyed employers about what skills and characteristics corporations require for entry level positions with potential for growth and advancement. Our report, Preparing for the Future: Employer Perspectives on Work Readiness Skills identified the applied skills that are essential for our economy and society and has informed statewide efforts to improve students' readiness for college, career and citizenship. MBAE also was active in the design of the MassCore curriculum for work and college readiness. As the voice of the business community in these efforts, MBAE works to promote the statewide push to proficiency for high school graduates, and to articulate to policy makers the skills needed by a well-trained, successful workforce.
State Scholars Initiative
MBAE is the Massachusetts leader of the State Scholars Initiative, a program designed to prepare students for postsecondary success by motivating them to pursue a rigorous high school curriculum. State Scholars brings business volunteers into classrooms to help parents, students, and teachers understand the importance of using the high school years to gain the academic and applied skills necessary for college-level work and career advancement. During State Scholars' 2006-07 pilot year of operation in five schools, MBAE trained 74 business volunteers from 51 companies who made presentations to 2,337 students. In 2008, we reached 1551 freshmen in these schools, and increased the number of students taking a rigorous course of study by as much as 30%. Our goal is to expand the program to serve even more students and schools statewide. Learn more about the State Scholars Initiative at www.statescholars.org.
Just for the Kids
MBAE is the Massachusetts affiliate of the National Center for Educational Accountability (NCEA), national sponsor of Just for the Kids (JFTK). JFTK's mission is to raise academic standards and increase student achievement through the dissemination of clear, comprehensible school comparison data. One feature that distinguishes JFTK from other rankings is the use of multi-year data in all subjects that illuminates the "opportunity gap" between schools with the same demographics. Using this feature, an educator, parent or concerned citizen can get information about a successful school and apply that to effect change. MBAE works with NCEA to inform, inspire, and improve learning through the effective use of school and student data and the identification and replication of best practices found in high-performing districts, schools and classrooms. Access to the JFTK-MA site is through the MBAE homepage: www.mbae.org.

MBAE remains dedicated to the principles expressed in Every Child A Winner, its 1991 report that was the blueprint for the Education Reform Act of 1993. We also feel an acute sense of urgency to deliver on the promise of education reform. In the years since the passage of the Education Reform Act, an entire generation of students has gone through our public schools. It is up to us to make sure that all students graduate with proficiency in all subjects, regardless of the district or school they attend. Our commitment is to make quality K-12 education for every child in the Commonwealth a reality.

MBAE. 400 Atlantic Avenue. Boston MA 02110 . USA
Voice: 617-737-3122 | Fax: 617-737-3126

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