Patrick releases new ed reform

BOSTON – Gov. Deval Patrick unveiled the final portions of his Education Action Agenda Wednesday, finalizing a yearlong effort to develop a strategic blueprint for the Commonwealth’s schools.In a speech preceding a meeting of every education board in the state, Patrick called for educators to “unleash innovation” in Massachusetts schools, and said he was focused on improving access to higher education for all of the state’s residents.”We must prepare all students to be lifelong learners and successful, contributing citizens in a world economy and global society by creating a progressive education system that is fully integrated, coherent and seamless serving our children from birth through higher education and beyond,” he said. “Success in the 21st century requires more than a high school diploma, and we must expand opportunities for post-secondary education for anyone who seeks it.”The announcement comes after nearly a year of work undertaken by the Readiness Project, a statewide initiative involving more than 200 educators, business leaders and community activists to develop a strategic blueprint for the next phase of education reform in the state.Among the recommendations in the report, Patrick calls for the public education system to guarantee access to free community college and create “early college high schools” that would provide an opportunity for “underserved students” to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and two years of college credit that can be put toward an eventual degree.Under the plan students will also have an opportunity to qualify for accelerated graduation and early entry in to high school or participate in dual enrollment between high school and community college.Patrick did include his controversial plan to allow the children of illegal immigrants to attend public college if they have passed the MCAS, graduated from a Massachusetts high school and are on a path toward citizenship.Some financial highlights include a plan that is intended to help increase funding for financial aid, establish a “Commonwealth Education Innovation Fund” between the public and private sector and to continue investing in the extended learning time initiative.Education leaders praised Patrick for helping move the state’s education system forward in the 21st century, and said they look forward to beginning to implement the many initiatives presented in the lengthy report.”It is fitting the results of this report are shared publicly today as all of the state’s education leaders meet together for the first time,” said Secretary Designate of Education Paul Reville. “It is now time to put these recommendations into action, and start the work necessary to transform the state’s public education system by 2020.”The report was not without its critics, as the Massachusetts Business Leaders for Charter Public Schools immediately sent a letter to Patrick expressing “disappointment” that he did not propose an expansion of charter school programs in the report.The organization was hoping Patrick would raise the cap on charter school enrollment in poor performing school districts, and said by not doing so he is robbing inner city children of the opportunity at a good education.”Raising the caps on charters in the poorest-performing school districts from 9-20 percent of net school spending would provide thousands of inner-city students currently on charter school waiting lists with the opportunity they deserve,” the letter reads.