Robey: 'Readiness' schools: Weighing the pros and cons - Waltham, MA - The Daily News Tribune:
"As state and national attention becomes ever more focused on student achievement and the corresponding need to redress the persistent achievement gap, Governor Patrick's 'Readiness Schools' proposal is an encouraging venture onto the next stage of education reform.
These school models, which are currently being considered by the legislature, are indicative of a renewed willingness on the part of the state's leadership to think creatively about how to identify and address the problems of underperforming schools and help them better meet the very real-and complex-needs of students at-risk."
"As state and national attention becomes ever more focused on student achievement and the corresponding need to redress the persistent achievement gap, Governor Patrick's 'Readiness Schools' proposal is an encouraging venture onto the next stage of education reform.
These school models, which are currently being considered by the legislature, are indicative of a renewed willingness on the part of the state's leadership to think creatively about how to identify and address the problems of underperforming schools and help them better meet the very real-and complex-needs of students at-risk."
New Readiness Schools legislation limits teacher roles Tell your lawmakers: Teachers and their unions are part of the solution.
We all count on teachers to help improve our schools. Public school educators and their unions have helped develop innovative programs that have made Massachusetts schools some of the best in the country. We're committed to helping underperforming schools excel -- and we're proud of our accomplishments.
You count on your union to be your voice at the table. The "Readiness Schools" proposal would establish three new kinds of in-district public schools and in the process weaken protections and lessen the role for teachers in decision-making. Under this new bill, teacher union agreements could be unilaterally canceled, removing our right to collective bargaining. These agreements were reached collaboratively, with all voices at the table. It's not fair to ignore them now -- and it won't help improve our schools.
Tell your lawmakers:
Teachers and their unions are part of the solution. If this new program is going to succeed, it must empower teachers and their unions and keep them involved as we strengthen our schools. Schools work best when there's collaboration between teachers, administrators and parents. By urging lawmakers to protect collective bargaining rights, we can make sure that our teachers can keep doing what they do best: making Massachusetts schools great.