(A Medford mom and champion for equity and inclusion, Melanie has fought against the system for the rights of her daughter. Today she talks about her heartbreaking decision to move Grace to a more restrictive setting because of the inability of the public school system to accommodate her needs. With a masters degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education…
Massachusetts Parents United – Boston Unified Statement on the Boston Public Schools Superintendent Finalists
“We are thrilled that the committee has selected three candidates of color to lead the Boston Public Schools. Now comes the tough part. Running the Boston Public Schools should not be a training ground for new superintendents. It’s concerning that we are not able to attract a seasoned superintendent with a track record of success in running another large urban…
The Last Gasps of Desperation on Alma del Mar
Here we go: NEW BEDFORD — The City Council did not come to an agreement Thursday night about special legislation for the proposed second campus of Alma del Mar Charter School. The special legislation would establish an agreement among the city, Alma, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create a neighborhood-based charter school. Current state law only…
The Fox Is Guarding the Hen House — and He Wants A Big Fat Blank Check
This week we’ve been treated to yet another cookie cutter op-ed about education funding — this time from Matt Malone, the current superintendent of the Fall River Public Schools — a system that has been mired by dysfunction, underperformance and racism since the days I was a reporter in the area and for generations before. Matt, of course takes on…
MCAS Question Controversy: Unions Attempt to Play Politics with Kids for Their Own Benefit, AGAIN
“What kind of idiot would have students imagine the rationalizations of a racist coward who shrinks from moral responsibility?” Colson Whitehead, Author of “Underground Railroad” Apparently, all kinds of idiots. From the Boston Globe — news of a racist-as-hell question appearing on the exam asking students to write an essay from the perspective of a racist: “When 10th-graders sat down…
NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US! Massachusetts Parents United: Back in Black on Beacon Hill
By Zack Mazrimas, EduMom contributor Last Friday, something amazing happened at the Massachusetts State House. The Boston media was so anxious to localize the national teachers strikes and were clamoring at the idea of capturing a sea of red at the statehouse — but instead were met with a wave of black and brown. Parents. Up to the rafters. From across…
Wanting More for Our Kids: What “Happy” Means to Parents
By Zack Mazrimas, EduMom contributor From the moment I became a parent and looked into my son’s eyes I knew I would do everything in my power to ensure that he would have an incredible life. When I became a Dad and held my oldest son for the first time I knew it was my mission. Nowadays, everywhere we go people…
Save Our Public Schools — Or Maybe Save Our Kids From Sharon Public Schools?
Physics teacher Brad Lengas was suspended from the Sharon Public Schools in December and then fired in February after being charged with indecent assault and battery on a person over 14. What went down? Several students went to the police demanding action after they were ignored by Sharon High School principal Jose Libano when they complained about Lengas’ inappropriate behavior…
Non-Exam Boston High Schools are a Disaster – Now with Charts!
In Massachusetts, we sure do love our education reports. Especially about the Boston Public Schools. In case you missed it, last week, the Boston Foundation and the Boston Opportunity Agenda released their report: Guess what? Post-secondary outcomes are bad. The indicators of potential success? All pretty obvious. We know this already, but God bless the Boston Foundation for trying to…
GUEST OPINION: More Than Money Required to Transform Lagging Schools
This was originally published on MassLive and in the Springfield Republican. It’s nice to see these business leaders step up. We need more of this please. (Yes, EduMom is looking at you.) By Tricia Canavan and John Davis Springfield Public Schools have been improving by some measures. Yet, there is still much work to be done. Seventy-six percent of…