Mass EdForum

October 8, 2012

Visit to the Lauttasaari School

Our tired but cheerful group arrived at Helsinki yesterday at 5:30 p.m. after about 13 hours of traveling. We enjoyed a salmon dinner and good night’s sleep and were ready to go this morning! My day started with a visit […]
October 9, 2012

Finnish Culture’s Influence on Education System

Posted by Representative Jennifer Benson on October 9, 2012 · Leave a Comment This guest post by Massachusetts State Representative Jennifer Benson is another in a series by members of the Massachusetts Education Delegation as they tour Finland. After 2 days, 2 […]
October 11, 2012

Entering Teaching Profession in Finland a Rigorous Process

This guest post by Emily Parks, Assistant Superintendent in Westwood Public Schools, is another in a series by members of the Massachusetts Education Delegation touring Finland. During our time in Finland, again and again, we have heard from Finnish educators and […]
October 12, 2012

Cornerstones of Education Policy in Finland

After two school visits in Finland, we visited government officials and Helsinki University to learn about teacher preparation education. Then it was off to Sweden via overnight ferry! What a trip! Some reflections from a busy couple of days: Our […]
November 7, 2012

Visit to a Swedish Charter School

Posted by Maureen LaCroix on November 7, 2012 · Leave a Comment This guest blog shares “random commentary on what we learned” by Maureen LaCroix, Retired Superintendent of Schools, The MA Delegation to Finland and Sweden Visits Gymnasium School: Viktor […]
November 13, 2012

Lessons from Finland

MBAE has been pleased to public blog posts from members of the Massachusetts education delegation to Finland and Sweden.  Last week, almost a month after our trip, some of us presented our “take aways” to members of the Massachusetts Association […]
November 20, 2012

Report Measures Progress on State’s Education Data Systems

Posted by Ishara Casellas-Katz on November 20, 2012 · Leave a Comment Data is an essential tool for teachers and school leaders as they work to bring about positive student learning outcomes.  Last year MBAE Board Member Beth Gamse blogged […]
November 29, 2012

Can Competency Based Learning Fill Jobs?

Texas Governor Rick Perry thinks so!  And, as surprising as it may seem for someone on the opposite side of the political spectrum, I agree with him.  What he has proposed in his Skilled Workforce Initiative is a fast track system for earning […]
December 3, 2012

Youth Unemployment in Massachusetts Doubles

Education and access to employment opportunities during teen and young adult  years help young adults obtain the job readiness skills that they will need for long-term success. A report released today by the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center and The Annie E. Casey […]
January 23, 2013

Computer Science Still Missing from Proposed New Standards

ACT NOW!  Comments on the Second Draft of the Next Generation Science Standards are due January 29!   Contact me for a draft letter you can personalize and instructions for submissions!  In Massachusetts, “computer systems design and related services” is the […]
February 25, 2013

Governor’s Education Funding Plan Needs More Work

Whether or not you agree with the revenue proposals in Governor Patrick’s FY14 state budget, business leaders can support the priority given to improving education from pre-K through higher ed.  A high quality education system is an engine of economic […]
March 25, 2013

Technology Can Supercharge School Improvement

It has become a truism to say that schools are the only sector that citizens of 2013 could visit that would look like they did 150 years ago, when fewer students graduated from high school or college.  Yet today society […]
March 27, 2013

Case for Education Revenue Still Weak

As MBAE has said previously, Governor Patrick is to be commended for making education a priority and emphasizing its link to economic prosperity.  We think that a discussion about the Governor’s education funding proposals in the State House and beyond is important […]
April 13, 2013

New Science Standards Must Include Computer Science

  The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) were issued this week.  MBAE , with its long record of    advocating for rigorous statewide academic standards, had encouraged employers to join us and submit comments on the final draft calling for increased emphasis on […]
April 23, 2013

AIM Honors MBAE

Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) announced on April 12 that it will honor the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education (MBAE) with its Legacy of Leadership Award at the association’s 98th annual meeting on May 10th, in recognition of MBAE’s 25 […]
May 20, 2013

Positive Signs for Teacher Evaluation Progress

Although MBAE has expressed skepticism about the cumbersome new model system that Massachusetts has developed to implement new teacher evaluation regulations, recent news from the state’s two largest districts – Boston and Springfield – give us reason to be cautiously […]
June 18, 2013

Teacher Prep Review Spotlights Problems in Massachusetts

Today, on the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993, the National Council on Teacher Quality(NCTQ) released a report that has the same game-changing potential to bring about education reforms that will propel our […]