After the recent closure of Mount Ida and its acquisition by UMass Amherst, we have received questions about how this decision was made and the authority that UMass has to make this kind of decision. This post is intended to explain the structure of UMass, and their relationship with the Board of Higher Education and […]
Education
arts, college for all?, education aid, independent learning, policies and programs, special education, structural reforms
Increasing Education Aid
Overall, state aid to schools is inadequate. I hope we can pass the “millionaire’s tax” this November and use the proceeds to increase school aid under a simpler, more rational formula.
After school care
After school care needs improvement.
Charter Schools and Education Funding
As a legislator, I was struck by the brass of a recent campaign commercial. As a citizen, I am voting against Question 2, which would lift the cap on charter schools, because I am concerned about its impact on already-strained local school budgets. A Yes vote would create new schools without creating additional resources to pay for them.
More on Question Two
Many people were kind enough to weigh-in with feedback on the piece on Question Two that I ran last week and I thought I should follow up with some additional information. I support some charter expansion, but I do believe that Question Two goes too far.
No on Question Two
On school issues, I listen very closely to the feelings of parents. I get mixed signals from parents about charter schools, but I do come down against Question Two, which would lift the cap on charter schools, because it goes too far.