“The Commonwealth’s record of student achievement is second to none and a model for the nation. I am proud of the progress we have made, but we won’t be satisfied until we have a system that prepares all of our students for success.”
-Governor Deval Patrick,
Education Summit - November 9, 2011
Governor Deval Patrick has named closing the achievement gap a priority for his second term. The Patrick-Murray Administration’s fiscal year 2013 budget proposal includes $10 million in additional funding to support the implementation of the
Gateway Cities Education Agenda 
, a comprehensive set of new initiatives that will provide much-needed support to students, families and educators in the Commonwealth’s 24 Gateway Cities.
The Gateway Cities Education Agenda aims to eliminate those deep and persistent achievement gaps that disproportionately affect children living in poverty, students of color, students with disabilities and students who are English language learners. Many of these students are heavily concentrated in the Commonwealth’s 24 Gateway Cities, and the challenges that they and their families face are daunting and often difficult to overcome.
The Governor’s Gateway Cities Education Agenda will deliver a set of five principles and action items that will close achievement gaps more quickly and effectively and also result in the development of a stronger, more comprehensive 21st century public education system. The first four program areas will be piloted by the Administration in several Gateway Cities on a competitive grant basis, subject to appropriation. The fifth item, a Commonwealth Innovation Fund, will be open to all Massachusetts communities.
1. Every child must read proficiently by the third grade
Three-quarters of children who struggle with reading in third grade will continue to struggle academically, greatly reducing their chances of graduating from high school, going to college or successfully participating in our high skill economy. But we also know that children who receive high-quality literacy instruction during their earliest years are more prepared for kindergarten and success in elementary school and beyond. To meet the Governor’s goal of increasing reading proficiency by grade 3, the Administration will award $575,000 in grants to provide targeted professional development opportunities for educators working in family child care programs and provide support for parents and family members of children enrolled in these early education programs. These additional resources will increase the quality of literacy instruction provided in family child care programs, and help educators and parents create and sustain literacy-rich environments both in the classroom and at home.
2. Every child must have a healthy platform for learning
In order to truly benefit from high quality educational opportunities, students must attend school regularly and be attentive, motivated and ready to learn. The challenges associated with poverty present serious impediments that prevent students from realizing their full academic potential. To combat these challenges, the Administration will award $3.6 million for the creation of Student Support Councils and hiring of Student Support Counselors to provide more comprehensive support services to students and their families. Support Councils will include social service providers that will provide tailored services to students in predominantly low-income schools. Student Support Counselors will work to connect families and students with service providers who can help them mitigate the problems that impede school attendance and achievement.
3. Students need a public education system that meets them where they are and provides the services that they need
Every student should receive the quantity and quality of instruction they need to meet high proficiency standards. In order to better provide students, specifically students for whom English is a second language, with the opportunities and support they need to be successful, the Administration will award $3.75 million for After-school Enrichment Academies to give middle and high school ELLs more time to acquire English language skills. Acceleration Academies may also be offered during the April school vacation and/or during Saturday sessions, with the goal of expanding this model to operate intensive Summer English Learning Programs.
4. Students must be prepared for both college and career success
A successful public education system is one that prepares all students for lifelong success. This means establishing multiple pathways for students to succeed in high school, college and career; providing students with information about career options earlier in their academic careers; giving students better access to quality internships and other job training opportunities; and creating stronger partnerships among high schools, public colleges and universities and workforce partners. To this end, the Administration will award $1 million to establish High School Career Academies and Education and Industry Coordinating Councils (EICCs).
These academies will offer high school students the opportunity for early career exploration, more applied learning, and motivating educational experiences. EICCs will include education, workforce development and business representatives that will work together to strengthen partnerships among high schools, institutions of higher education, local employers and workforce development entities. These new partnerships will help create multiple and seamless pathways to employment for all students.
5. Innovation is critical in building a 21st century education system
Massachusetts must build a new public education system that will meet the educational challenges of the 21st century. Creating such a system will require ongoing innovation and creativity. To promote and incentivize bold and innovative programs, the Administration will pledge $1 million to establish a Commonwealth Education Innovation Fund, a public-private fundraising partnership that will provide the education sector with new resources to develop and implement groundbreaking educational strategies. This fund will increase our capacity to create a 21st century public education system, and will be available to innovative educators and entrepreneurs throughout the state.
Taken together, this set of strategies will expand the Patrick-Murray Administration’s efforts to close persistent achievement gaps among our neediest children and give all students the opportunity to succeed in our global economy.
*The Commonwealth’s 24 Gateway Cities, as defined by statute, are Barnstable, Brockton, Chelsea, Chicopee, Everett, Fall River, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Methuen, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Quincy, Revere, Salem, Springfield, Taunton, Westfield, and Worcester.
Watch a video of the Governor’s speech on the Gateway Cities Education Agenda here or read it here.
Read the press release on the Governor’s Gateway Cities Education Agenda here.
View a Fact Sheet on the Gateway Cities Education Agenda
here
.
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