Coalition must act, rep. warns
Representative James Eldridge addressed the Suburban Legislation Coalition during its annual legislative breakfast last week at the State House. Eldridge discussed the challenges ahead to restore local aid and Chapter 70 state education aid funding to cities and towns in the upcoming fiscal year 2008 state budget.
“It is important to push for the full $255 million increase in Chapter 70 aid in this year’s budget, to carry out the promise of minimum education aid for all Massachusetts communities that was established in last year’s budget,” Eldridge said. “Our cities and towns are depending on the legislature fulfilling its commitment toward providing a reliable source of support for schools in the Commonwealth.”
The coalition is an association comprising municipal officials and boards from over 60 towns that provides input to the state about local services, state funding, and state regulations. Eldridge, along with Representative Alice Peisch, recently created the coalition to advocate for the issues facing suburban communities, including increasing local aid and more support for regional school transportation.
Eldridge also encouraged audience members to become more active lobbying state government to better support public education. “If we are going to change the way we fund education in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, every School Committee, Board of Selectmen, and Town Meeting needs to advocate for increased state aid for education, and, in my opinion, for closing corporate tax loopholes to generate the revenue for public education. If the grass roots in each community don’t organize, the status quo will continue.”
Eldridge also outlined in his address the other progressive goals of the Suburban Legislators Coalition, including more funding to protect open space, improve public transportation, support affordable housing while reforming Chapter 40B, and eliminating the need for so many home rule petitions to go through the legislature.
The Suburban Legislators Coalition plans to work hand in hand with the Suburban Coalition to accomplish these and other goals, to help suburban communities and residents maintain the excellent quality of life and educational standards that all communities strive for.
Submitted by state Representative James B. Eldridge’s office
Resor files MCAS reform bill
The use of MCAS as a graduation requirement leads to increased dropout rates and narrowing of school curricula, according to a panel of education and testing experts that briefed state legislators today on the need for MCAS reform.
The panel, organized by state Representative Carl Sciortino and Senator Pam Resor, addressed the unintended consequences of high-stakes testing.
The panel included Boston College education professor Walt Haney, a senior research associate at the Center for the Study of Testing Evaluation and Educational Policy; Monty Neill, executive director of the National Center for Fair & Open Testing (FairTest), and Linda Nathan, founding headmaster of the Boston Arts Academy.
To address the concerns raised by the panelists, Sciortino and Resor have filed H. 561, a bill that would reform how MCAS is used as a graduation requirement. The bill, commonly known as the MCAS Reform Bill, aims to integrate the tests into a multiple assessment system to maintain accountability while avoiding the problems that result from high-stakes testing.
The legislation has been co-sponsored by 30 legislators and has the support of Campaign for the Education of the Whole Child, a coalition of individuals and organizations with an interest and expertise in improving public education. The wide-ranging coalition includes the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Massachusetts Association of School Committees, Massachusetts Teachers Association, and Massachusetts PTA.
Submitted by state Senator Pamela Resor’s office
State offers poster design contest for grade schoolers
The Department of Public Safety and Senator Pam Resor announced Monday that entries are being accepted in the 2007 Amusement Safety Poster Contest, which is open to children in grades one through six.
All children in public, private, and home-schooled programs and recreation centers are invited to compete for U.S. Savings Bonds in the name of each winner. Selected posters will be included in the 2008 Amusement Safety Awareness Calendar produced by the department.
“This contest is a way to promote safety and develop an understanding among our children of the need to obey rules and play safe when they ride on amusements this summer,” Resor said. Posters will be judged in three groups, group one—first and second grades; group two—third and fourth grades; and group three—fifth and sixth grades.
The Department of Public Safety oversees and regulates amusement rides throughout the state; licenses owners; and inspects and grants permits for individual rides in amusement parks, carnivals, and go-kart facilities, as well as large and small inflatables rented frequently for town fairs and private parties. During 2006, the department issued 124 licenses and inspected 3,368 individual rides.
The contest is designed to prompt safety discussion among families before they take their summer outings to amusement parks and carnivals. The poster theme should urge riders and ride operators to work together and keep safety in mind—before, during, and after the ride.
Prizes are $1,000 for the overall winner; $500 for each of the first-place winners; $250 for second place; $100 for third place; $50 for fourth place; and $25 for fifth place—all by group category.
Entry forms and additional information are at www.mass.gov/dps. The entry deadline is May 11. Winners are expected to be announced no later than Monday, June 11. Call Mark Mooney, chief of inspections-mechanical, at (617) 727-3200, extension 25208, with any questions about the contest.
Supplied by state Senator Pam Resor’s office
Resor hosts senior conference
State Senator Pam Resor will again host the Senior Conference for the Middlesex and Worcester district. The free conference is a daylong event that provides senior citizens with valuable information on issues ranging from health care to healthy eating and personal safety and financial planning. Fitness classes, hot paraffin hand wax treatments, manicures, and computer workshops will be available. Seniors will also receive a hot catered meal followed by live entertainment and door prizes. This free event will be held Thursday, April 19, at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School.
“I look forward to this event each year as an opportunity to greet and to hear from seniors around the district,” Resor said. “I hope that everyone who attends will take some valuable information away with them, as well as spending a fun day with friends both old and new.”
Tickets for admission and door prizes will be available from local Councils on Aging. Tickets are also available at Resor’s district office in the Walker Building in Marlborough or by calling (508) 786-3040.
Submitted by state Senator Pam Resor’s office
