Mass EdForum - Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education

May 19, 2022

MA must take steps to increase access and enrollment in computer science

Expanding student access to and enrollment in computer science classes is both an economic development strategy and a student equity imperative. Computer science has become a critical area of study that provides students with skills they need across numerous sectors […]

May 12, 2022

2021 Impact Report: Key Accomplishments and Driving the Work Ahead

As MBAE transitions to a new membership business model, we have spent considerable time meeting with employers and learning that workforce is a primary area of concern, diversity and inclusion are a top priority, and equitable educational opportunities is a […]

May 5, 2022

Raising the high school graduation standard

In Massachusetts, students must earn a passing score on the grade 10 MCAS in English Language Arts and math, and on one of the high school science tests, in order to meet the state’s high school graduation requirement. This policy […]

April 13, 2022

Board Spotlight: Emerson Foster Leading MBAE Equity Committee

MBAE Director Emerson Foster is a true model for civic leadership and business engagement and investment in efforts that serve both our most vulnerable community members and the needs of our growing economy. As Head of Human Resources, US Business […]

January 12, 2022

MBAE Brings on New Director of Policy

MBAE is pleased to announce that James Mikolowsky has joined us as our new Director of Policy. James comes to us with diverse experience in federal and state education policy and government. Most recently, James served as Director of Higher […]

December 20, 2021

Bristol Myers Squibb, a global leader in supporting STEM education, joins MBAE as a premium member

The ranks of MBAE’s corporate members continue to grow and we are pleased to welcome Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) as our newest Premium member. For over a decade, innovative teams of passionate scientists from multiple disciplines at Bristol Myers Squibb […]

December 8, 2021

Analysis shows very low participation in computer science in MA high schools

It’s computer science education week across the nation and the globe – an annual effort to raise awareness about the need to ensure all students have access to computer science instruction and to inspire students to take it. Yet, a new […]

October 14, 2021

MBAE Releases Discussion Paper on P-TECH: A Timely Opportunity for Massachusetts?

Today, MBAE is releasing a discussion paper, The P-TECH Model of Early College High School: A Timely Opportunity for Massachusetts? The paper dives into the details of the roles of key stakeholders in launching and sustaining a P-TECH initiative, the results […]

September 30, 2021

Call to Action: Go Big with Federal Funding to Drive Education Transformation

The Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education is calling on state and local leaders to aggressively pursue bold improvements in our schools using unprecedented federal dollars and increased state funding in order to: Accelerate the closing of racial and socioeconomic achievement […]

September 20, 2021

Leading Biz Groups Oppose Legislative Attempts to Amend, Suspend Use of MCAS

Leading business groups from across Massachusetts joined MBAE today in opposing proposed legislation that would alter the use of MCAS, a valuable tool for identifying gaps and measuring outcomes, particularly given its heightened value in helping us understand the effects […]

September 2, 2021

Greater Flexibilities in Teacher Contracts May Be Needed for Student Recovery

We are starting yet another school year with COVID threatening to disrupt student learning and requiring that we adapt to meet student needs to ensure they don’t fall further behind. School districts’ contracts with teachers help shape our K-12 system’s […]

August 5, 2021

22 Business Groups Co-Sign MBAE Letter on Expansion of Vocational Technical Education

Twenty-two Massachusetts business groups joined MBAE in signing a letter to the legislature regarding bills dealing with expansion of vocational technical education and arguing that as we emerge from the pandemic, the need for robust pathways to economic opportunity is […]

July 14, 2021

Legislature steps up for students, increases funding for Early College expansion

The Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate stepped up for students and voted to approve a final FY22 budget that doubles the state’s funding for Early College. The Legislature’s budget includes $5 million for the Early College Programs line item […]

June 25, 2021

House and Senate bills expand opportunities for high school students to earn industry recognized credentials

This month, the Joint Committee on Education heard testimony on MBAE bills filed by Representative Jeff Roy and Senator Eric Lesser that would expand opportunities for students in all high schools to earn industry-recognized credentials that are in-demand by employers […]

June 16, 2021

MCAS Data Key to Equity and Pandemic Recovery

Objective and comparable data are needed to measure Massachusetts’ progress on education equity and excellence. That’s why students in grades 3-8 and 10 take MCAS assessments in English language arts and math. Students in fifth, eighth, and ninth grade also […]

February 25, 2021

MBAE Statement on Getting Students Back in the Classroom

The Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education supports Commissioner Riley’s move to get students back in the classroom in April. There is no replacement for in-person learning and it should be pursued vigorously when and where safe. This strong state action […]

January 26, 2021

MA must define size & scope of learning loss, act urgently and innovatively to address it

MBAE Testimony to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education January 26th, 2021 Good Morning. My name is Ed Lambert and I represent the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education. MBAE wants to thank this Board, the Commissioner, the Secretary […]

January 5, 2021

Decision to move forward with MCAS this year is the right one

Today, Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeff Riley announced the state will administer MCAS this year. MBAE strongly supports the Commissioner’s decision to move forward with MCAS and to streamline administration of it in response to pandemic-related challenges. […]

October 31, 2020

Early College is a tangible equity and recovery strategy

Out of the 11.6 million jobs created in the post-Great recession economy, 11.5 million went to workers with at least some college education, and 8.4 million of these went to workers with a bachelor’s degree or higher, according to the […]

September 14, 2020

New Analysis: State education aid widening equity gaps

A new Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce report on state education aid distribution shows Massachusetts sends more aid to wealthier school districts than the state formula determines they need at the expense of […]