Enshrined in the Massachusetts Constitution is the duty of the Legislature “to cherish public schools” at the local level.   I believe as a society we are both legally and morally obligated to provide a high quality education for all our children, regardless of race or economic class, in every city and town. I also know that education can no longer end in 12th grade; that we truly must be lifelong learners.

Massachusetts’ public school students rank at the top on national achievement tests, but our school systems are struggling to close a troubling achievement gap.  School Districts are also struggling to maintain core services, and parents face an annual cycle of program reductions and increased user fees.

We have a real opportunity to address the issues facing our education system. The Governor’s Readiness Project, much of which I support, provides a set of recommendations and a direction for creating a system in which to deliver a  first class education.  Now is the time for strong leadership to help refine those recommendations and develop solutions for implementing them. It is time to take the next steps in education reform.

As a senator, I will work to improve teaching and learning throughout the Commonwealth so our children will be prepared to work in the 21st century global economy. I support the adequacy study which will determine what truly is needed to provide a 21st century education.  I will also push for a study to determine the real costs of adequately implementing the increased mandates under Education Reform and the unfunded mandates under No Child Left Behind.  Once we know the real costs, I will work with my colleagues to fully fund the state’s obligation for public schools  Making this investment will provide a work force ready to meet the challenges our world is facing and will keep our economy strong.

Teachers are the backbone of our educational system and we must do what is necessary to recruit and retain outstanding educational leaders and highly skilled teachers.  I hope to introduce legislation that provides scholarship assistance and loan forgiveness for individuals who teach in public schools for a defined period of time, and I support additional funding for professional development for educators.

We must be sure that children with special needs receive the education they need.  I will fight to ensure that the state meets its moral and legal obligation to provide a full and fair education to all children and that we find ways to support our cities and towns to fund it.

We also must ensure that every child gets a head start on their educational journey by supporting the expansion of early education programs for three and four year old children and full day kindergarten.

As someone who continued to earn college degrees as an adult, I know that Massachusetts’ workers need to be lifelong learners. We need a highly skilled workforce and job training that will allow us to meet the challenges of the new economy. We can no longer afford to under-fund our state university system. I will support efforts to provide better funding for our state colleges and universities, and I will support Governor Patrick’s efforts to make the community college system tuition-free.

I am committed to making the Massachusetts public education system and work force training the best in the world.  Our economic future and the future of our children and grandchildren depend on it!