Public Policy Updates

MASC reports on Massachusetts public schools, education news, school committee issues and updates from the Department of Education.

This information has been compiled by MASC Field Director Tracy Novick.

Public Policy Updates: FY20 Joint Ways and Means Hearing

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Published on Wednesday, 20 March 2019 09:34

The Joint Committee on Ways and Means met on Monday, March 18 at Bristol Community College to hear invited testimony regarding the education accounts for fiscal year '20. This hearing was chaired by Rep. Carole Fiola of Fall River and Senate Assistant Vice-Chair Senator Jason Lewis of Winchester. Bristol Community College President Dr. Laura Douglas welcomed the legislators to campus, speaking of the importance of education in her own family's history.

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Public Policy Updates: February Board of Ed

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Published on Tuesday, 12 February 2019 20:57

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education met on February 12, largely on charter matters. The agenda is found here. 
Upon opening, Commissioner Jeffrey Riley invited the Board to the upcoming statewide convening on March 14 at UMass Amherst. Specifics regarding the event will be forthcoming.
Public comment largely pertained to and was in support of the charter matters before the Board. Public testimony from MassCreative in support of the draft arts standards also was taken. 

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Public Policy Updates: Rennie Center on Student Voice

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Published on Sunday, 27 January 2019 15:11

Each year, the Rennie Center presents a report on "Conditions of Education in the Commonwealth" focusing on a different issue. This year, that focus is student voice shaping the future of public education. The launch of this report at an event on January 24 featured student speakers and a panel discussion.

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Public Policy Updates: January Board of Education Regular meeting

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Published on Saturday, 26 January 2019 15:40

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education met for their regular January meeting on Tuesday, January 22. Most of the agenda dealt with charter school matters, although the Board did also receive an update on assessment and see their 2018 report.

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Public Policy Updates: January Board of Education on school and district report cards, automated scoring

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Published on Tuesday, 15 January 2019 15:44

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education met on Monday, January 14 for an evening meeting. While much of the attention focused on Commissioner Jeffrey Riley's announcement of a proposed deal on expanding Alma del Mar Charter School in New Bedford, two reports were the purpose of the evening special meeting: one on the complete overhaul of the school and district report cards, and one on the use of computers in scoring student writing on the MCAS.

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More Articles...

  1. Public Policy Updates: December 2018 Board of Education meeting
  2. Public Policy Updates: FY20 Hearing on Revenue
  3. Public Policy Updates: November 2018 Board of Education
  4. Public Policy Updates: October 2018 Board of Education Meeting
  5. Public Policy Updates: The Tale of Four Cities
  6. Public Policy Updates: September 2018 Meeting of the Board of Education
  7. Public Policy Updates: June 2018 Board of Education
  8. Public Policy Updates: May 2018 Board of Education regular meeting
  9. Public Policy Updates: May 2018 Board of Education on Accountability
  10. Public Policy Updates: Ed Reform at 25
  11. Public Policy Updates: March 2018 Board of Education
  12. Public Policy Updates: Joint Committee on Ways and Means Hearing for FY19
  13. Public Policy Updates: February Board of Education
  14. Public Policy Updates: January Meetings of the Board of Education
  15. Public Policy Updates: December 2017 Board of Education
  16. Public Policy Updates: November Board of Education
  17. Public Policy Updates: October Board of Education
  18. Public Policy Updates: September Board of Education
  19. Public Policy Updates: Joint Committee on Education Hearings
  20. Public Policy Updates: August Board of Education meeting