Gov. determined to reform schools, keep pace with other countries

Patrick releases final version of ed plan; Asquino calls it ‘ambitious’

By Owen Boss

BOSTON — At a press conference Wednesday, Gov. Deval Patrick released the final installment of his proposed Educational Readiness Project, an intitative aimed at improving public education statewide. The project includes the formation of readiness schools, full-day kindergarten and universal preschool, enhanced anti-dropout efforts, a statewide teacher contract, reduced class sizes and dual enrollment in high school and community college, and free community college. Among the reasons the governor listed for the reform project was the increasing global marketplace, and that in order to compete with foreign countries such as China and Korea that have significantly longer school years, the commonwealth has to focus on providing world-class education. “We must prepare all students to be lifelong learners and successful, contributing citizens in a world economy and global society by creating a progressive education system that is fully integrated, coherent and seamless — serving children from birth through higher education and beyond,” said Mr. Patrick in a press release. “Success in the 21st century requires more than a high school diploma, and we must expand opportunities for post-secondary education for anyone who seeks it.” A member of the local community who played a considerable role in the education reform plan was Daniel Asquino, president of Mount Wachusett Community College and a member of Mr. Patrick’s Leadership Group, who said that the plan is intended to force schools to become more innovative. “This is a 10-year program and it is very ambitious,” said Dr. Asquino. “His charge to the group was that he wanted something bold and transformative and I think that is exactly what this is.” Among the concepts Dr. Asquino considered particularly important were the development of universal learning opportunities for young children, something that he said would create a firm educational foundation and assure that every student gains crucial basic knowledge. “There is going to be a lot of money spent toward the encouragement of individuals from age 3 and on,” said Dr. Asquino. “This would ensure that every student would have early childhood development and would pay off down the road.” Also included in the Readiness Project are the inclusion of opportunities for high school students to obtain transferable college credits while gaining a high school diploma. “The plan includes free community colleges, and ultimately grades one through 14 would be offered for free. The testing will become more rigorous, (the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) will be held at a higher level and the 11th and 12th grades would be primarily focused on preparing students for college and acquiring credits, so hopefully they can leave high school with a year or two of college credits.” Although the plan may end up being expensive, Dr. Asquino considers it a worthwhile endeavor, which will ultimately save the state money through not having to re-educate students. “We spend a significant portion of our budget doing work that should have already been done. We have students that are coming to us without basic reading and writing skills,” said Dr. Asquino. “We need to make sure that all of our state’s students are graduating at a young age with this knowledge.” oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 1 on 6/27/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 152)