What We’ve Done

Intervention: In 2003, MBAE completed a plan calling for vigorous state intervention in school districts that have continuously under-performed despite significant additional funding. As one of the architects of the 1993 Education Reform Act, MBAE believes that serious adult accountability is the next critical step in education reform in Massachusetts. Mark Roosevelt, MBAE’s Managing Director, was appointed by the Governor to the Task Force on State Intervention in Under-Performing Districts. The Task Force Report drew liberally from the MBAE Intervention paper, and Governor Romney has pledged to fully implement that part of the Task Force report that can be accomplished by regulation, approximately 85%. Legislation has been filed to act on the remaining recommendations. Raising student achievement at under-performing schools continues to be a priority of MBAE.

The MCAS: MBAE has a long history of supporting accountability as an integral element of education reform in Massachusetts. Since the state curriculum frameworks and the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests were developed, MBAE has defended the MCAS standard and graduation requirement from challenges both legal and political. We adhere to the pact that was made in 1993 – increased school funding in exchange for standards and accountability for reaching these. To this end, MBAE works on Beacon Hill to fight efforts to exempt vocational education, special education or other groups of students from meeting state standards. MBAE also works, through counsel, to defend the MCAS standard in state and federal court.

Foundation Budget: Since advocating for the passage of the 1993 Education Reform Act, MBAE has been involved in monitoring state education funding to ensure that the Act’s core elements are respected. Especially when Massachusetts experiences an economic downturn, it is critical that “foundation level funding” be upheld for all communities, and MBAE evaluates all budget proposals to make sure that foundation level spending is protected. MBAE also advocates for the maintenance of other critical state programs, such as MCAS remediation funds, and increasing state capacity to support under-performing school districts.

Action on Critical Issues: We have a record of involvement in other education related issues, and continue to influence policy in these areas, as they arise, including: the collection, dissemination and use of educational data in the classroom, special education, bi-lingual education, school-to-work programs, applications of new information technologies to learning, leadership development, teacher performance standards and certification, and the supply pipeline for new teachers.