Bulletin www.masc.org MASC March 2019 v.53 n.3

Massachusetts Association of School Committees

operators and the administration Governor files legislation to encour- to sidestep the outcome of the charter school ballot question and age creation of empowerment zones circumvent local school committee estifying on the Governor’s intendent, mayor, local teachers’ and community approval of any TFY2020 education funding union, school committee members, newly established school or school proposal before the Joint Ways teachers, or a group of parents realignment. and Means Committee on Monday, to start the process to create an As outlined in MASC’s 2019 Leg- March 18, Lt. Governor Karen Polito innovation partnership zone. The el- islative Priorities “these empower- and Education Secretary James ementary and secondary education ment zones, as conceived by some Peyser announced that the Gover- commissioner could also initiate a proponents, could be established nor will be filing legislation to en- zone instead of a receivership, or by the commissioner of elementary courage development of so-called to transition out of receivership, for and secondary education without “empowerment zones.” schools performing in approximate- the consent of the cities, towns and The bill will be based on legisla- ly the lowest 15 percent statewide. regions that would have to host tion filed last session by House The zones would operate under them, but instead by overseen by Education Committee Chair Alice renewable five-year performance appointed bodies with no assur- Peisch and Sen. Eric Lesser, follow- agreements between their boards ance that real parent or local input ing an “empowerment zone” model and the local school committee or would be sought. MASC believes piloted by the Springfield Public state education commissioner. They that any restructuring of a school School district. would be able to negotiate directly district or schools within them The bill, according to the Baker with the local teachers’ union and without the consent of the elected administration, would define an to contract with eligible operating local leadership or the people (i.e., innovation partnership zone as at entities for day-to-day management school committee, city council, least two schools or one school of their schools, including nonprof- town meeting or local referendum) enrolling more than 1,000 students, its, higher education institutions or is a violation of democratic prin- governed by a board of direc- “groups of experienced educators.” ciples of local control and transpar- tors with the approval of the local In 2018 when the Governor ent government.” school committee or the state endorsed the empowerment zone Empowerment zones will be Board of Elementary and Second- legislation MASC expressed seri- among the issues that will be dis- ary Education. ous concerns that the zones were cussed at MASC’s upcoming Day Baker’s bill would allow a super- a backdoor strategy for private on the Hill on Wednesday, May 1. Other topics will include revisions Legislators, MASC members turn out for education funding update to the Foundation Budget formula, regional transportation funding, MASC Past President Jake Oliveira the challenges of small and rural (Ludlow) and Division III Chair Jason school districts, circuit breaker Fraser (Plimpton) outlined the differences update, charter school mitigation, in the three education funding proposals and the social services safety net. (the Governor’s Bill, the Promise MASC has prepared materials for Act, and the Tucker Bill) currently before members to share with their legisla- the legislature. More than 70 members tors as the 2020 budget is being turned out for the March 6 meeting that debated. Register to attend at www. also included presentations from masc.org. Representatives Josh Cutler and Kathleen LaNatra. Grand testing experiment fizzles as states shake off Federal dictates According to a recent survey by Education Week, the testing revolution sparked by the Common Core has all but evaporated in less than a decade, with only a third of the states still using the federally funded assessments designed to measure those stan- dards.

In the current academic year, only 16 states are still using the PARCC or Smarter Balanced assessments in math and English/ language arts. When the tests were being designed in 2010-2011, 45 states (including ) reported plans to use them. Three years later, a year before the tests actually became available, only half the states were still on board and that has dwindled to a third.

The initial plan to have states sharing the same assessments would have been an unprecedented shift in US educational testing. States had never before agreed in such large numbers to use one set of academic standards and tests. The premise was that this singe test and standards would allow parents and policymakers to compare student progress across the states.

But opposition to the length and costs of the tests led most states to go back to implementing their own test. While not aban- doning the not wildly popular MCAS test, Massachusetts administered the PARCC exam selectively for two years before returning to a revised MCAS 2.0 graduation requirement. Currently only 13 states require students to pass a test to get a high school diploma, compared to more than half the states in 2002. In some states, students can use projects or portfolios to meet this requirement.

Legislative Committee Chairs Announced Earlier this month Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Robert DeLeo announced their appointments to lead joint legislative committees of particular interest to MASC members. A list of all legislative committees can be found at htttps://malegislature.gov/Committees. Ways & Means House: Senate: Alice Hanlon Peisch, Chair Michael Rodrigues, Chair , Salem, Vice Chair Cindy Friedman, Vice Chair Joshua Cutler Thomas Walsh Jason Lewis, Asst. Vice Chair Michael Barrett Joseph Boncore Michael Brady Andreas Vargas Nick Collins Daniel Hunt Daniel Carey Anne Gobi Adam Hinds Carlos Gonzalez Children, Families & Persons with Patricia Jehlen Disabilities Eric Lesser Senate: Joan Lovely John Barrett, III Sonia Chang-Diaz, Chair Michael Moore Diana DiZoglio, Vice Chair Michael Rush Brian Murray Chyna Tyler Rebecca Rausch House: Bud Williams Brendan Crighton , Chair Andres Vargas , Vice Chair House: Elizabeth Malia, Asst. Vice Chair Education Kay Kahn, Chair Thomas Walsh Senate: Josh Cutler, Vice Chair Thomas Stanley Jason Lewis, Chair John Rogers Joan Lovely, Vice Chair Jonathan Hecht Brian Michael Ashe Sal DiDomenico Adam Hinds Julian Cyr continued on next page Joseph McGonagle, Jr. MASC Survey results David LeBoeuf Natalie Higgins In the fall of 2018, MASC asked members Brian Murray Economic Development to tell about their use of and satisfaction Senate: with various Association programs, events Eric Lesser, Chair Higher Education and services. The data was collected in order Brendan Crighton, Vice Chair Senate: to help guide development and use of tools Paul Feeney Anne Gobi, Chair and resources to maximize their value to the Walter Timilty Joanne Comerford, Vice Chair membership. Cynthia Creem Marc Pacheco Highlights of the survey responses are Anne Gobi Edward Kennedy posted in the Members section on the Michael Rush MASC website at www.masc.org House: Ann-Margaret Ferrante, Chair House: Kenneth Gordon, Vice Chair , Chair Daniel Ryan James Arciero, Vice Chair Natalie Higgins Carole Fiola Daniel Carey Michael Day Sean Garballey Tami Gouveia Carlos Gonzalez Josh Cutler Brian Murray Bud Williams Revenue Senate: Kathleen LaNatra Adam Hinds, Chair William Brownsberger, Vice Chair Elder Affairs Housing Michael Brady Senate: Senate: Joanne Comerford Patricia Jehlen, Chair Brendan Crighton, Chair Patricia Jehlen Rebecca Rausch, Vice Chair Julian Cyr, Vice Chair Paul Feeney Joseph Boncore House: Edward Kennedy Harriette Chandler , Chair Marc Pacheco John Keenan Paul Schmid, III, Vice Chair House: House: RoseLee Vincent , Chair , Chair Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Vice Chair Joseph McGonagle, Jr., Vice Chair Gerard Cassidy John Rogers Alan Silvia Stephan Hay Christine Barber Mindy Domb Carmine Gentile Jose Tosado Nika Elugardo State Administration & Regulatory Kathleen LaNatra Patrick Kearney Oversight: Tram Nguyen Senate: Marc Pacheco, Chair Health Care Financing Mental Health, Substance Use and Barry Finegold, Vice Chair Senate: Recovery Paul Feeney Cindy Friedman, Chair Senate: Rebecca Rausch Harriette Chandler, Vice Chair Julian Cyr, Chair Nick Collins Adam Hinds John Keenan, Vice Chair Julian Cyr Cindy Friedman House: Mark Montigny Walter Timilty , Chair Joseph Boncore Brendan Crighton Sean Garballey, Vice Chair Joanne Comerford House: Daniel Donahue , Chair House: Daniel Hunt Daniel Cullinane, Vice Chair , Chair Carmine Gentile Brian Ashe Jose Tosado, Vice Chair Carlos Gonzalez Christine Barber David Biele Steven Ultrino Carolyn Dykema Massachusetts Association of School Committees One McKinley Square

Boston, MA 02109

ton where he employs many graduates from Smith Vocational High School in Northampton. in School High Vocational Smith from graduates many employs he where ton

A graduate of UMass-Amherst with a degree in business, Dan is the co-owner of an auto repair business in Easthamp in business repair auto an of co-owner the is Dan business, in degree a with UMass-Amherst of graduate A -

funding for schools and funding reforms including aid to rural school district and quality education for every student. every for education quality and district school rural to aid including reforms funding and schools for funding

and chair of the Collaborative for Educational Services (CES). He has been an avid advocate at the local level seeking full full seeking level local the at advocate avid an been has He (CES). Services Educational for Collaborative the of chair and

In addition to serving on the Shutesbury School Committee, Hayes is also a representative on Erving School Union #28 #28 Union School Erving on representative a also is Hayes Committee, School Shutesbury the on serving to addition In

with its recommendations no later than December 1, 2019. 1, December than later no recommendations its with

students attending out of district vocational/technical and agricultural schools. The Commission is expected to file a report report a file to expected is Commission The schools. agricultural and vocational/technical district of out attending students

ficiencies relative to transportation for regional school students, students in special education with out-of-district placement; placement; out-of-district with education special in students students, school regional for transportation to relative ficiencies

formed Special Commission on Regional School Transportation. The Commission will be studying ways to improve ef improve to ways studying be will Commission The Transportation. School Regional on Commission Special formed -

Dan Hayes, a 16-year member of the Shutesbury School Committee, has been appointed to serve on the state’s newly newly state’s the on serve to appointed been has Committee, School Shutesbury the of member 16-year a Hayes, Dan

Regional School Transportation Commission Transportation School Regional

Shutesbury School Committee member to serve on on serve to member Committee School Shutesbury

munity AND School Superintendent Superintendent School AND munity justice-and-prevention-grants tions to addressing high-priority gaps gaps high-priority addressing to tions

https://www.mass.gov/service-details/ - com host the of Administrator) Town - solu cost-effective proposing AND

grant opportunity can be accessed at: accessed be can opportunity grant or Manager, City (Mayor, Officer tive demonstrating the greatest need need greatest the demonstrating

All files needed to apply for this this for apply to needed files All - Execu Chief Municipal the Both to school districts and charter schools schools charter and districts school to

2019-December 31, 2019 31, 2019-December apply. to eligible dents and staff. Priority will be given given be will Priority staff. and dents

Anticipated Grant Period: Grant Anticipated is place in already Plan Response and May 1, 1, May - stu of safety the and security school

On or about Friday, April 26, 2019 26, April Friday, about or On Assessment Threat Emergency School local municipalities with enhancing enhancing with municipalities local

Anticipated Award Announcements: Award Anticipated Multi-Hazard a has it that certifies

funding to assist public schools and and schools public assist to funding

3, 2019 by 4:00 pm. 4:00 by 2019 3, that located) are school(s) public competitively solicit one-time grant grant one-time solicit competitively

Applications Due: Applications the where city/town (host nicipality Wednesday, April April Wednesday, school districts and charter schools to to schools charter and districts school

day, March 12, 2019 12, March day, - mu local its with collaboration in make available $7.2M in funding for for funding in $7.2M available make

Application Posted: Application school, charter or district school A - Tues about or On Grants and Research (OGR) will will (OGR) Research and Grants

Key Dates Key Eligibility Applicant and Security’s (EOPSS) Office of of Office (EOPSS) Security’s and

The Executive Office of Public Safety Safety Public of Office Executive The

permitted for consideration of funding. of consideration for permitted violence. of

NOLOGY GRANT OPPORTUNITY OPPORTUNITY GRANT NOLOGY

(1) application per charter school is is school charter per application (1) instances reduce to order in climate,

- TECH & EQUIPMENT MUNITIES

application per school district and one one and district school per application school supportive and safe more a

- COM AND SCHOOLS SAFER SFY19

plication being submitted. Only one (1) (1) one Only submitted. being plication establish to steps meaningful taking

seeking a grant award must sign the ap the sign must award grant a seeking are that schools to given be also be - Tools for schools for Tools

or Charter School Executive Director Director Executive School Charter or will Consideration weaknesses. or MASC DAY ON THE HILL: Wednesday, May 1, 2019 LEGISLATION • ADVOCACY • LITIGATION Investing in all MA students

PROGRAM MASC DAY ON THE HILL 2019 Location: Grand Lodge of Masons 186 Tremont St., Wednesday, May 1 Legi (across the Common from the State House) sl ation • Foundation budget legislation update Program: ion • MASC legislative priorities (see reverse side) Grand Lodge of t Masons, Boston tiga • Advocacy strategies (across the Common li • School funding lawsuit restart update from the State House) Full and Fair Funding LUNCH Advocacy The State House, Great Hall Investing in Prepared and catered by Lunch/Legislative visits: all MA MA vocational school students The State House, Boston Students

BRING YOUR STUDENTS, JOIN YOUR LEGISLATORS AND COLLEAGUES FOR THIS CRITICAL UPDATE ON THE FUTURE OF SCHOOL FUNDING

REGISTER NOW:

Name: ______

Billing District: ______

District Address: ______

Participant’s cell phone: ______Participant’s email: ______r Bill me r Bill school district r Check enclosed

Cost: $75.00. Includes continental breakfast, materials and buffet lunch.

Return registration to MASC, One McKinley Square, Boston, MA 02109 Or fax: 617-742-4125 Or register online: www.masc.org

School committee members and superintendents are encouraged to invite students to join them at this important learning/advocacy event. Students may attend at NO CHARGE but they MUST be registered to ensure that we have sufficient materials and resources for all. MASC 2019 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

• Support for Early Education Programs

• Strengthen the Children’s Services Safety Net

• Chapter 70 Funding Revision/Foundation Budget

• Full Funding for Special Education Circuit Breaker

• Charter School Funding/Approval/Mitigation Reform

• Full Funding for Regional Transportation

• Full Funding for METCO

• Mandate and Regulatory Relief

• Support for Rural School Districts

• Retention of Medicaid Covered Services

• Coverage for Medically Insured Services in Schools

Visit MASC website for Day on the Hill updates. www.masc.org