Campaign To Raise College & Career Readiness Of Massachusetts Students
A new statewide campaign to raise awareness of what it takes to succeed in college and career is coming to Massachusetts. Achieve, Inc., a national education organization created by governors and corporate leaders, has selected Massachusetts along with three other states to work with to develop and launch a college and career readiness campaign. The state partnership initiative is part of Achieve's Future Ready Project, a new effort to build a greater understanding of the programs and pathways available to assist all students in their preparation for whatever pursuit they choose after high school.
The Massachusetts Future Ready campaign will be created and implemented by MBAE, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Department of Higher Education, in collaboration with Achieve. There is now widespread acceptance of the link between a strong education system and a vibrant economy. A recent study documents how the wage premium that comes with education attainment is expected to continue to rise. The difference in the lifetime earnings of an individual with a professional degree versus someone that has dropped out of high school is $3,452,000. Yet, many individuals do not know how to navigate the route to college and career readiness. The Future Ready campaign will raise awareness of state programs that will help students reach their goals.
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Empowering Communities With Data On School Performance
Data is a powerful tool in school improvement. When parents, policymakers and educators have data, they can use it as a catalyst for change. The free website www.KnowYourSchoolsMA.org makes it easy for users to search for a specific school and see how that school stacks up against top comparable schools in the state with a similar demographic composition.
The website's user-friendly graphics show individual school performance over time (beginning in 2006) and the average performance of schools with similar size and make-up. By showing that some schools have great results while others serving student bodies with similar challenges do not, opportunities for improvement are clearly evident and possible.
KnowYourSchoolsMA.org is provided as a public service by MBAE with financial support from the Verizon Foundation's Thinkfinity and from Deloitte. Check out our new Know Your Schools video to learn how it works. If you like what you see, please share it with others!
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Improving Springfield Public Schools By Improving Teacher Policies
The National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ), in partnership with Springfield Business Leaders for Education and MBAE, will release a new report, "Teacher Quality Roadmap: Improving Policies and Practices in Springfield Public Schools" on Tuesday, October 11. This analysis will shed light on what teacher policies are working well and which are not, and will compare the district's policies to those of surrounding communities and other similar districts nationally. MBAE previously worked with NCTQ on an analysis of human capital policies in the Boston Public Schools. NCTQ's reports have been instrumental in shaping the scope and focus of teacher contract negotiations and have resulted in major reforms in urban school districts around the country.
Please join Springfield Business Leaders for Education and MBAE at forums to hear the findings of this analysis. The first event will be held in Springfield at the Basketball Hall of Fame from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. Kate Walsh, President of NCTQ, will present findings and recommendations, followed by a panel discussion that will include Springfield Superintendent Alan Ingram and Springfield Education Association President Tim Collins. A second program will be held at Springfield Technical Community College's Scibelli Enterprise Center from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. This will be another opportunity to hear NCTQ's presentation as well as a variety of perspectives from educators, civic leaders and employers. Come and join the conversation! Back to top
Upcoming Events Co-sponsored by MBAE
REGISTER for one or both of these events!
Solomon McCown & Company presents Leadership in Transition, a discussion with four college and university presidents exploring the challenges, opportunities and visions for the future.
October 20, 2011
7:30-9:30 A.M.
Save the Date -- The Nation's Report Card and 12th Grade Academic Preparedness: A Regional Symposium.
Monday, October 24, 2011
9:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M.,
Westin Waterfront, Boston
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