Executive Order  No. 434: Establishing the Governor's Joint Committee on Educational Policy

WHEREAS, a coordinated education system from early childhood through higher education at the university level is essential to the expansion and improvement of lifelong learning opportunities in the Commonwealth;

WHEREAS, admissions standards in the public higher education system must be aligned with the new statewide high school graduation standards;

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth must work to ensure that all students completing high school without a competency determination have continuing opportunities to earn their high school diploma;

WHEREAS, training of new teachers, including those who may enter the profession through alternative paths, and ongoing professional development of teachers already in the field are fundamental for achieving excellence throughout our education system; and

WHEREAS, the Advisory Committee on Educational Policy, established by Chapter 15A, Section 2 of the Massachusetts General Laws and chaired by the Secretary of Education, has been inactive due to the elimination of the Executive Office of Education.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jane Swift, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Supreme Executive Magistrate, do hereby order as follows:

Section 1. There is hereby established the Governor's Joint Committee on Educational Policy (the "Joint Committee"). The mission of the Joint Committee shall be to advise and make recommendations to the Governor as to how the public education system shall be best integrated to ensure that policies and standards for pre-school through higher education create the most meaningful lifelong learning opportunities in the Commonwealth. To further its stated ongoing mission, the Joint Committee is requested, in particular, but without limitation, to explore options for those students who complete high school without a competency determination to earn their high school diploma and advise the Governor as to such options by no later than December 1, 2001.

Section 2. The Joint Committee shall consist of the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board of Education, the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board of Higher Education, the Commissioner of Education and the Chancellor of Higher Education. The Chairperson of the Joint Committee shall rotate every two years between the Chair of the Board of Education and the Board of Higher Education, beginning with the Chair of the Board of Education.

Section 3. The Joint Committee shall meet no less than six times annually, at such times and places as established by the Chairperson.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston this 8th day of October in the year two thousand one.

Jane Swift

Governor

William Francis Galvin

Secretary of the Commonwealth