EDUCATION

Strengthening our public schools, colleges and the University

As a parent of two children, both of who attend public schools, I care deeply about our public school system.  The great disparities in resources and achievement between school districts is inexcusable.  The state must provide and target much greater resources to give our teachers and parents the tools that they need, so that our children receive a world-class education.

During the early years of this decade, funding for preK-12 public education was severely cut.  Funding for preK-12 education remains millions of dollars below the funding levels that each had achieved in FY02.  In FY04, Massachusetts spending on preK-12 education was about 4.2 percent of personal income, below the national average of 4.6 percents.  The Commonwealth ranks 41^st among all states in the share of revenue for K-12 education that comes from the state.  The cuts in state education funds to local school districts has placed significant pressure on cities and towns to increase their property taxes to pay for education.

I strongly support expanding state funding of early education programs for 3 and 4-year olds, particularly for children at risk; lowering class sizes in K-3^rd grades, where individualized attention is especially important; and increasing state funding for the costs of special education programs to ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed in school.

MA’s spending as a share of personal income for public higher education is the lowest in the country and 47^th in FY06 state appropriations per capita for higher education.  Yet public higher education is the “great equalizer” for students from working families.  Sixty percent of Massachusetts high school graduates that go to college in Massachusetts go to community colleges, state colleges and UMASS.  Eighty percent of graduates from these institutions remain in the state.  Increased state funding for public higher education is necessary in order to restore and improve our public school system.  I will work on a long-term plan to establish a stable and predictable funding stream for higher public education.

I also have serious concerns about the Commonwealth’s current charter school law.  Although charter schools for the most part offer a high-quality alternative to public schools, they drain crucial funding from local school districts and are not subject to the same public accountability standards.  I support an annual state appropriation for charter schools in a separate budgetary line item rather than funding charter schools through a reduction in a school’s district’s Chapter 70 funding.

Education is a statewide priority – it is the obligation of the state to provide the resources necessary to maintain our public schools and the university system at the very highest standard of excellence.

Maximizing student learning

The Education Reform Act of 1993 required the Department of Education to develop multiple assessment tools to determine whether students have met the new state requirements.  The current DOE requirement – passage of the MCAS – is neither educationally sound nor does it meet the statutory requirement.  Although the MCAS provide one measure of success in college, they should never be used as the sole measure of graduation from high school.  I have two children in public middle schools, and they both spend the vast majority of time on what amounts to basic test prep.  The MCAS leads children to lose interest in learning.  Teachers should be given every tool to enable them to educate our children, and they are the best judges of success.  Teachers need greater discretion to develop teaching plans that suits their students.

I will oppose schemes that would tie pay or job security to individual student performance if it is measured by standardized tests.  We need to develop an accountability system that provides technical support and additional resources from the state to schools and districts to help students achieve.  Furthermore, teachers should be more involved in accountability plans for “underperforming schools.”

Defending and promoting rights and benefits of public education employees

I support retention of the current defined benefit system for all public education employees, full annual cost-of-living salary and pension increases.  I support public sector collective bargaining and will oppose any attempt statutorily to limit, reverse, or revoke the scope of collective bargaining or to limit an individual’s constitutional right to participate in the collective bargaining process.  I will oppose any unilateral attempts to mandate cost shifting or decreasing health insurance benefits to active and retired public employees through bypassing the collecting bargaining process.

I strongly that believe teachers need increased professional opportunities.  This includes differential pay for increased responsibilities and a strong support system for teachers in the classroom.  Well-prepared, highly qualified educators are essential if we are to ensure that all students achieve the high standards necessary for them to lead fulfilling lives and become productive citizens.  In today’s competitive marketplace, it is increasingly difficult to attract and retain the best teachers.  Competitive salaries, continuing education support and a strong mentoring program will give new teachers the support they need to succeed in their careers.