Tom Weber
Undersecretary of Education, Executive Office of Education
The big story of the week was Governor Patrick’s FY13 budget proposal, which affirms the Patrick-Murray Administration’s ongoing commitment to our students, pre-k through higher education.
A couple of budget proposals deserve special attention. First, the Governor proposed a Gateway Cities Education Agenda in response to an ongoing dialogue with our Gateway Districts, which serve a significant number of students who are caught in achievement gaps. Second, the Governor announced an ambitious set of community college reforms and supports to better prepare students from across the Commonwealth for job opportunities in their regions. The community college proposal was greeted with strong support from the business community as a sound strategy for matching job skills with job opportunities, a win-win-win for students, employers, and the Commonwealth’s economy.
The work continues, and here are highlights from next week’s schedule:
On Monday, Secretary Reville will join local legislators in a visit to the Northwest Elementary School in Leominster to discuss the Governor’s Gateway Cities Education Agenda. That afternoon, he will tour the North Middlesex Regional International Baccalaureate Innovation School, where juniors and seniors can enroll in IB classes that educate not only in core subjects, but also teach students how to plan for and achieve long-term academic and service goals, how to use critical analysis skills, how to learn challenging ideas and concepts and how to apply their learning. These 21st century skills are essential in preparing students for success in college and career.
On Tuesday, Secretary Reville will participate in a Board of Higher Education meeting before joining Governor Patrick in a visit to Bristol Community College in Fall River to discuss the Governor’s community college proposal. Later that afternoon, Secretary Reville will participate in a conference call with the Early Education for All Campaign to discuss the Governor’s FY13 budget recommendations.
On Thursday, Secretary Reville will participate in “Doing Business in Brazil,” an event sponsored by Associated Industries of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment. This event follows the Governor's trade mission to Chile and Brazil last fall, and will continue the work of helping grow the Massachusetts economy on an international scale. Thursday afternoon, the Secretary will also hold a State House briefing for legislators on the Governor’s Gateway Cities Education Agenda.
Follow the Executive Office of Education’s progress throughout the week on Twitter @MassEducation.
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