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- civil rights and civil liberties (13)
- consumer protection (10)
- economic growth and jobs (15)
- education (23)
- environment (10)
- general (2)
- health care (20)
- housing (12)
- labor (16)
- preamble (5)
- safety justice and crime prevention (14)
- social security and the safety net (7)
- taxes and public services (7)
- voting procedures (6)
David,
ReplyDeleteThe proposed platform is a great statement of ideals but each component of the platform requires funding by the State. The beauty of what President Obama is doing as he sets out his budget at the federal level is he has focused on funding as well as on needs.
The Democratic Party will continue to fail in its efforts to achieve these goals in Massachusetts if it fails to provide a complete solution to the problem as President Obama is doing at the federal level by proposing cuts at the same time he proposes spending, and by proposing tax increases and other reforms.
This platform will be challenged if not approached in the same manner.
Given the fiscal crisis in the Commonwealth, it is unrealistic to fund these goals under the current tax system. Most of our local cities and towns have all reached their taxing limits and the income and sales taxes are not generating enough revenue to fund these proposals.
In order for this to fly, one needs to build grassroot support to changing our tax system. Current political dynamics are such that increasing the income tax or the sales tax is a non-starter at the Statehouse. This is because the average citizen does not believe the money will be used wisely by the legislature.
One way to change this dynamic, however, would be to propose increases in the income tax (above a certain income level as the President has done) and mandate that the increased revenue is distributed on a per capita basis to all cities and towns. If we raised an additional $2B in revenue, then these kinds of goals could be funded. This might require an increase in the income tax of perhaps 1.0% on persons earning $100K per year.
Most taxpayers would see the benefit of this approach and how it would allow for local use of funds that are collected in a more progressive manner. By mandating the distribution to all, it would provide the base level funding for our schools and local services and provide property tax relief.
I believe that unless and until the Democratic party recognizes this reality and addresses the revenue side of the equation, we will continue to have goals, but not have achievements.
We believe that literacy in civics and economics is essential for graduates of our secondary schools.
ReplyDelete-------
I expressed this idea at yesterday's platform meeting in Lexington. Many enthusiastically agreed with it.
We believe that literacy in civics and economics is essential for graduates of our secondary schools.
ReplyDelete-------
I expressed this idea at yesterday's platform meeting in Lexington. Many enthusiastically agreed with it.
We believe that post-secondary education should be available to all citizens, regardless of age or income.
ReplyDeleteWe believe that affordable post-secondary education should be available to all citizen.
ReplyDeleteA group of frustrated progressive Democrats met in Jamaica Plain on March 11th to discuss what we believe.
ReplyDeleteAs Progressive Democrats, we believe in/that:
Public education that works for all kids because all kids can learn
Arts education is a core part of a whole education
The point of public education, particularly, in a democracy, is to build an informed citizenry who will actively participate in their own governance.
ReplyDeleteThough I agree with some accountability in education, I also think the emphasis on scores has caused us to drastically cut back on history, civics and critical thinking. Schools are not intended to just produce worker bees, but to inform citizens and give them the tools with which they can shape public policy. The Party should support the inclusion of history, cultural geography, civics and critical thinking. And recognize that students have different capabilities and learn in different ways and that test scores are only one measure of an education. We have seen the results of an uninformed, apathetic and cynical populace. I believe we can improve the quality of our lives through teaching civics in our schools.
Urges the committee to remove or change the wording regarding promoting English as a Second Language programs that seek to encourage people to not learn English since education materials are distributed to them in their own languages rather than focusing on teaching them English
ReplyDeleteSupport the reform of the CORI Process to ensure that people who have completed their sentences and are rehabilitated can get jobs as opposed to people from out of state whose records don't follow them. Reforming the Sex Offender Registry should also be looked at becuase many young man are labeled Level One Offenders becuase they had sexual intercourse with a consenting young woman and this enables them from getting gainful employment as an adult.
ReplyDeleteHigher Ed and Libraries are facing tough economic times and we need to boost rather then cut funding for these vital resources. The Libraries provide good recreation and computers for people looking for jobs, epecially becuase people who are out of work tend to go back to school. Young people need the libraries for research and computer use for school. "A Nation that cannot read is doomed".
ReplyDeletethe education language should read "English Students of the other languages" not that we should strike out the current English as a Second Language but rather we should continue to promote it and expand upon it.
ReplyDeleteWe call upon the State Demoratic Party to strenghten it's platform with respect to increased funding for public education at all levels, especially public higher education.
ReplyDeleteLast year, Massachusetts ranked 46th nationally in terms of per captia spending on public higher education, 50% of Massachusetts students engage in higher education attend a community college, and yet community college is first in line for budget cuts, and note that community colleges are the last to have funding restored.
The following has been presented to the Democratic Committee of Martha’s Vineyard at the platform hearing held on Saturday, 14 March:
ReplyDeleteTO ASSURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE HISTORY, STRUCTURE AND PRINCIPLES UNDERLYING OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM, SO THAT THEY MAY FULLY AND RESPONSIBLY EXERCISE THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AS CITIZENS, WE SUPPORT THE MANDATORY CIVICS EDUCATION IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL CURRICULUM FOR ALL GRADE LEVELS.
To recap briefly the background on this proposed addition to the Party’s platform under the Education category –
It reflects more of a philosophical position rather than a definitive one outlining the definition of civics, curriculum content, and/or measurement instrument on effectiveness. Beyond the basic idea that the subject of “civics” focuses on an individual citizen’s role and responsibility in their government structure and operations, the more definitive action could be under the purview of the State and school districts. Further, though currently mandated in all public schools throughout the Commonwealth, by including the word “mandatory” in the platform statement the State Democratic Party places an emphasis on the importance that civics be taught to our children AND always remain on our education curriculum.
It utilities the instructional process already in place in our country through our education system, thereby not recreating another venue. It reinforces the need to get involved in our government – local, state and national. A need to get involved that was exhibited this past year in the precedent setting levels of interest and participation in the campaign season and on election day.
In addition to maintaining that captured interest and active participation, by educating our young people, we minimize the risk of our citizens abdicating their responsibility of getting involved in their government for the simple reason that they did not know how.
Lastly, the statement stands on its own as do many other platform statements in our Party’s document.
I welcome your comments and thank you for your interest AND support.
Deborah Medders
Education
ReplyDeleteWe support the current cap on charter schools BUT BELIEVE THE FUNDING MECHANISM IS UNFAIR AND DRAWS FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AT A TIME WHEN SCHOOLS ARE CLOSING. WHILE THE CONCEPT OF CHARTER SCHHOLS IS A GOOD ONE THE ENTIRE PROCESS MUST BE REVIEWED. CHARTER SCHOOLS ENROLLMENT MUST BE OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS REGARDLESS OF ANY DISABILITY
THE STATE NEEDS TO PROVIDE A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE COST OF EFFECTIVELY OPERATING LOCAL SCHOOLS I.E. MORE EQUITABLE FORMULA SHOULD BE USED TO ENSURE THAT LESS AFFLUENT COMMUNITIES HAVE SUFFICIENT RESOURCES.
NORTH BERKSHIRE DEMOCRATS SUPPORT THE STATE IMPLEMENTING A FUNDING FORMULA FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS THAT DOES NOT INVOLVE SENDING DISTRICTS PAYING FULL COST OF THEIR EDUCATION AT CHARTER SCHOOLS
We support increased state and federal funding to build, renovate and modernize our schools and colleges and libraries. THE WAVE OF THE FUTURE IS IN SCIENCE: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. IT IS IMPERATIVE THE COLLEGES BE GRANTED THE MONIES NEEDED BE ACCESSED TO BUILD AND SUSTAIN THE SCIENCES I.E. THE SCIENCE CENTER AT MASSACHUSETTS COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS. GREEN GROWTH NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY.
On March 5th, a Platform Hearing on Education was held in South Boston. Below are the minutes from that meeting. Thank you in advance for you interest and I welcome any comments.
ReplyDeleteBest regards,
Michael McGee
____________________________
Platform Hearing on Education
Date: 3/5/09
Location: South Boston
Hosts:
Michael McGee, 538 East Broadway, Apt. 8, South Boston, MA 02127, Democrat
Brian Fitzgerald, 153 North Main Street #1, Middleborough, MA 02346, Democrat
Attendees:
1. Joseph Cain, 713 East Fifth St., Apt. 3, South Boston, MA, 02127, Undecided
2. Kimberly Smith, 165 W 6th St., Apt. G, South Boston, MA, 02127, Democrat
3. Meghan Matthews, 400 K St., South Boston, MA, 02127, Democrat
4. Frank Taverna, 214 L St., South Boston, MA, 02127, Democrat
5. Susan Anderson, 249 A St., Studio 43, South Boston, MA, 02127, Democrat
6. Stewart Stubbs, 207 E St., South Boston, MA, 02127, Democrat
7. Ana Isis-Brown, 207 E St., South Boston, MA, 02127, Democrat
8. Amanda Muller, 538 East Broadway, Apt. 8, South Boston, MA, 02127, Democrat
Testimony:
BUDGET CUTS
We are concerned about budget cuts for public schools in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Education must be recession proof. Federal stimulus money should be appropriated to the public schools to not just “soften the blow” but to eliminate proposed budget cuts in our school districts.
Introduced by: Michael McGee
Supported by: All attendees and hosts.
FUNDING, GENERALLY
We support increased and more efficient funding for education because it is the most important line on the State’s budget. It is so important that children learn about the environment, for example, and civics. It is also important, for example, that students learn about history so that mistakes don’t repeat themselves.
Introduced by: Susan Anderson
Supported by: All attendees and hosts.
We support increased and more efficient funding for education because it is essential to maintaining our neighborhoods.
Introduced by: Michael McGee
Supported by: All attendees and hosts.
TEACHERS
We support fair wages for teachers. We support salary increases and bonuses - even in a recession. We support funding for recruitment of teachers.
Introduced by: Michael McGee
Supported by: All hosts and attendees.
We support financial incentives for teachers. In particular, loan forgiveness for teachers who commit themselves to public service.
Introduced by: Joseph Cain
Supported by: All hosts and attendees.
We support training for teachers but believe that mandatory training days may be costly and wasteful. Requirements for training should be flexible to allow creative learning by both teachers and potentially their students.
Introduced by: Meghan Matthews
Supported by: Susan Anderson
ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM
We support Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)—a key component of the accountability system that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has put in place to monitor the progress of our public schools towards meeting the goal of high achievement for all students.
Introduced and supported by: Kimberly Smith
We support reporting requirements but believe that it may be a wasteful use of a teacher’s time. They need to be flexible.
Introduced and supported by: Brian Fitzgerald
CLASS SIZES
We support small class sizes and a party definition for “small,” including target and cap on class sizes. We support a target of 15 students per class with a cap of 20 students.
Introduced by: Meghan Matthews
Supported by: Susan Anderson, Michael McGee
INFRASTRUCTURE
We support funding for new and improved infrastructure for schools.
Introduced by: Brian Fitzgerald
Supported by: Susan Anderson, Michael McGee
SPECIAL EDUCATION
We support increased funding for special education as it is a necessity in our neighborhoods. Funding should not be limited for special needs production, nor for special education teachings.
Introduced by: Frank Taverna
Supported by: Michael McGee
We support training for special education teachers in the subjects they teach to their students.
Introduced by: Joseph Cain
Supported by: Michael McGee
ESL
We support funding for ESL programs, particularly in urban areas where parents of students do not read, write, or speak English at home.
Introduced by: Meghan Matthews and Stewart Stubbs
Supported by: Susan Anderson, Michael McGee
We support outreach to parents that do not speak English as well and we support funding for creative programs to achieve this goal. Examples include the availability of a translator, seeking volunteers from the community to translate, and adult education for parents who do not speak English.
Introduced by: Meghan Matthews, Stewart Stubbs, and Amanda Muller
Supported by: Susan Anderson, Michael McGee
CHARTER SCHOOLS
We support funding for charter schools. Charter schools have been successful and provided families a free alternative to public schools. Charter schools increase competitiveness among other non-charter schools in their school districts.
Introduced and supported by: Michael McGee
We support funding for charter schools but are concerned that it leaves certain children behind. The lottery system should be adjusted to invite children to the school whose parents don’t voluntarily enter the lottery.
Introduced by: Joseph Cain
Supported by: Susan Anderson
We support funding for charter schools but we are concerned that it does not have a positive impact on the overall improvement of a school system.
Introduced by: Kimberly Smith
Supported by: Susan Anderson
K-8 SCHOOLS
We support K-8 schools as it provides children with less transitions.
Introduced by: Stewart Stubbs
Supported by: Michael McGee
EXTENDED LEARNING
We support extended learning and education during the summer months.
Introduced by: Amanda Muller
Supported by: Susan Anderson, Michael McGee
MCAS
We support the MCAS but believe it should be reformed.
Introduced by: Meghan Matthews
Supported by: Michael McGee
We support the MCAS but do not believe that the make-up exam for the MCAS should be scheduled on different days than the actual testing. This takes away from the already limited resources (time and energy) in the schools.
Introduced by: Meghan Matthews
Supported by: Susan Anderson, Michael McGee
We support the MCAS but believe it is too assessment driven.
Introduced by: Kimberly Smith
Supported by: Susan Anderson
We support the MCAS but believe that it should be administered by the DOE. Funding should not be appropriated to a private organization to administer the test.
Introduced and supported by: Brian Fitzgerald
We support the MCAS but believe it should remain privatized. We believe that efforts should be made for teachers not teaching to the test.
Introduced and supported by: Kimberly Smith
CORI REFORM
We support CORI reform as it applies to accessible educational opportunities for students. Currently, the CORI system makes it difficult for parents to take part in field trips. It also makes it difficult for non-profits to spend time in public schools to recruit students to their programs.
Introduced by: Brian Fitzgerald
Supported by: Susan Anderson, Michael McGee
BUSING
We support funding for busing in the City of Boston but feel it needs to be reformed to improve equality of schools in all of our neighborhoods and decrease wasteful spending on buses.
Introduced by: Michael McGee
Supported by: Susan Anderson
From Asian American Democrats Platform Hearing:
ReplyDeleteHENRY YEE, UNENROLLED VOTER FROM BOSTON, CO-CHAIR OF CHINATOWN RESIDENT ASSOCIATION testified:
Finding a job is difficult for everyone, but even more difficult for workers who were not born in the United States and have limited English skills.
Hopefully, stimulus dollars can be used to help put these people back to work by providing job training and ESL support.
From Asian American Democrats Platform Hearing
ReplyDeleteJING WEN LI, PERMANENT RESIDENT FROM BOSTON testified:
Now that Massachusetts has received some new stimulus money, we hope that some of the funding for infrastructure projects could include funds for libraries in underserviced areas.
For example, Chinatown has gone for some 60 years without a branch library - the only neighborhood in Boston without a branch library.
One of the primary reasons is the lack of government funding for such libraries. Thus, we hope the party supports funding for such projects.
From Asian American Democrats Platform Hearing
ReplyDeleteBAOLIAN KUANG, PERMANENT RESIDENT FROM BOSTON testified:
The education budget has been drastically cut in Boston. Instead of laying off teachers and cutting programs, it is important to ensure that education is fully funded. Communities feel powerless because of the cutbacks that are happening in the schools. We hope that the Democratic Party can support adequate funding for public schools at all levels.
Massachusetts Democrats understand that to learn effectively, students must be safe in their classrooms. We support diversity education and anti-bullying programs in our schools. Since gay, lesbian and transgender youth are at high risk, we specifically support programs aimed at making school safer and more welcoming for them, such as gay-straight alliances. We oppose efforts by extremists to require parental consent before materials inclusive of gay or lesbian families or individuals may be introduced in the classroom - such strictures would have the effect of making some students feel uncomfortable about themselves or their families, isolating them from their peers, and provide tacit endorsement of attitudes that are not consistent with a learning environment that is respectful to all.
ReplyDeleteEducation in Massachusetts – Letting Teachers Teach
ReplyDeleteRegarding education, I feel there is too much emphasis on the MCAS testing and it has taken away from the teachers actually being able to teach their students. My daughter has taught for 8 years within the Oakland, CA district as well as internationally. She has told me many times how her hands are tied to rigid standards which the majority of which is actually training the students on how to take the MCAS tests....fill in circles and follow directions.
I believe the current plan of President Obama to have “merit pay” for teachers will not work. Classrooms throughout the country are not equal. The students within the Oakland school districts struggle with far more obstacles than students within wealthier communities. Some of my daughters’ students come to school from homeless shelters where their families live. The quality of the food they consume affects their level of activity. The stress of uncertain safety within their neighborhoods factors into their attention levels and hinders performance also. All of these factors are challenges for the teachers within school districts such as these and I commend their efforts in taking on these children to educate. Teachers within classrooms in wealthier communities do not have to contend with such obstacles. Their students test scores will certainly score higher than those of lower income communities. That is not to say that the teachers who are dedicating their skills to lower income communities should be penalized by lower pay scales. Is this really the best way to set the salaries of one of the most important jobs within our society....educating our young? Please consider the ramifications of condoning the “merit pay” for teachers prior to adopting it.
Joseph Beuys said, "To make people free is the aim of art, therefore art for me is the science of freedom".
ReplyDeleteWe should add a plank that reads: We believe that the arts are fundamental to building a peaceful, civilized society in which people learn respect for other cultures, use creativity to solve problems, and employ the arts to resolve conflicts.
We believe that governments at all levels need to launch a massive educational effort to ensure the population truly understands the gravity of the climate, ecological and sustainability emergency situation, and generate a positive political and cultural feedback support for decisive actions. (Please also see my comments in Environment - general)
ReplyDeleteWe support:
ReplyDeletearts education and arts institutes – art does not end when you’re out of school.
Consolidated student loans should be renegotiated periodically.
Charter schools – state funding of charter schools as long as it does not detract from resources for public schools.
What defines a “competent teacher”?
Any legislator who is in favor of the MCAS should take the test and have their scores published.
We support continued funding for libraries.We support teacher mentoring and student mentoring programs.
We are not in favor of increasing the length of school day, or year. It eats into any other kind of enrichment.
Reform public K to 12 education to actually prepare students for life after high school. Relying on MCAS standards to increase graduation numbers means students are not ready for college.
ReplyDeleteIncrease funding for Public Higher Education. Many High School graduates cannot afford to attend college because of the cost of higher education. More scholarships are needed.
ReplyDeleteSupport lifting of the two caps on charter schools. The charter school record of raising achievements in African American and Hispanic children demonstrates their value.
. One final issue is high school dropouts. You hear a lot about programs like Head Start. But what about kids who are currently living with all these problems: gangs and drugs, etc. They need to be drawn into a system encouraging them to make something of their lives, like we’re trying to do in the Social Justice Committee at Sacred Heart Church in Newton that I chair.
ReplyDeletePatricia Marcus would like the platform to oppose the expansion of charter schools and school choice in order to strengthen our public schools by keeping financial resources funding those public schools.
ReplyDeleteJoseph Gochinski opposes expanding charter schools and school choice.
Carolyn Herrick opposes expanding charter schools and school choice.
Thomas Herrick opposes expanding charter school and school choice.
Support comprehensive sex education in schools
ReplyDeleteImplement education on economics and finances for children.
ReplyDelete• For our children, education must be #1.
ReplyDeleteTestimony concerning Gifted and Talented Education within the MDP Platform
ReplyDeleteTo the members of the Democratic State Committee,
In my role of a public education teacher, I have seen the confluence of many legal instruments support the education of special education students, bilingual students, homeless and transitional students, and of course grade-level students. Between Title I, the Americans with Disabilities Act, No Child Left Behind, and various state laws, almost every students has a clearly mandated and at least partially funded legal right to support of their educational needs. The only exception to this structure is for the specific needs of gifted and talented students.
Myths persist that may block the alignment of our education policy with our expressed ideals of an education that challenges and rewards all students. Many gifted and talented students are "invisible," unable to overcome cultural and language barriers that ensure that they receive the support they need. Gifted and talented students are not restricted to ideal families either – many live in homes with adults unable or unwilling to advocate on their behalf. Finally, and most disturbingly, research clearly shows a precipitous decline in gifted students' ability from elementary to secondary education in a significant percentage of cases. This lack of support and recognition is costing these children a chance at a more accomplished, educated future.
With this in mind, I have undertaken an effort as a member of a learning community and as a member of a political community to gather support for changing the platform of our party to respond to this urgent need. I ask for your consideration of the following two testimonies concerning this issue.
Brian Fitzgerald
Social studies teacher, Wareham Public Schools
Secretary, Middleborough Town Democratic Committee
NB: This first testimony was a result of erroneously confusing the "Agenda" of the MDP with its platform. However, I do wish that the beliefs of these citizens be recognized.
GIVEN the dearth of budgets for gifted and talented programs in too many public school districts of Massachusetts, and
GIVEN that it is the goal of public education to offer a challenging and rewarding education to all students regardless of ability, and
GIVEN that the federal regime of Title I mandates the availability of an "enriched and accelerated educational program" and further includes the entirety of the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act of 2001, and
GIVEN that the 2009-10 Massachusetts budget as proposed by Governor Patrick included the spending of $2.5 million on gifted and talented programs – less than 2% of the spending allocated to special education,
We request that the platform of the Massachusetts Democratic Party be amended to include language supporting and valuing the public education of gifted and talented students.
It is suggested that the following current language change:
"We have high hopes and expectations for all students, and we believe that educational opportunity must be made available without regard to race, gender, economic status or disability. We reaffirm out support for classroom programs, including Special and Bilingual Education, that can help children reach their fullest potential, and for state and federal laws barring discrimination in our classrooms."
Be amended as follows
"We have high hopes and expectations for all students, and we believe that educational opportunity must be made available without regard to race, gender, economic status or disability. We reaffirm out support for classroom programs, including Special, Bilingual, and Gifted and Talented Education, that can help children reach their fullest potential, and for state and federal laws barring discrimination in our classrooms."
We, the undersigned, express support for the following change in the agenda of the Massachusetts Democratic Party:
Name Address Political Affiliation
Amanda Muller 538 East Broadway,
South Boston 02127 Democrat
Anna Isis-Brown 207 E Street,
South Boston, MA 02127 Democrat
Frank Turner 214 L Street
South Boston, MA 02127 Democrat
Meghan Matthews 400 K Street,
South Boston, MA 02127 Democrat
Stu Stubbs 207 E Street
Boston, MA 02127 Democrat
Susan Anderson 249 A Street #43
Boston ,MA 02210 Democrat
Brian Fitzgerald 153 North Main Street
Middleborough, MA 02346 Democrat
Diana Reeves 1766 West Street
Mansfield, MA 02048 Democrat
Karen McQuade 265 Blackstone St.
Uxbridge, MA 01569 Democrat
Margaret Estes 37 Winch Street
Framingham, MA 01701 Democrat
Mike McGee 538 East Broadway, #3
South Boston, MA 02127 Democrat
Roberta Spivack 98 Laurelwood Drive
Mopedale, MA 02048 Democrat
Ron Reeves 1766 West Street
Mansfield, MA 02048 Democrat
Ruthanne Allen 2590 Main Street
Barnstable, MA 02130 Democrat
Andrea Roda 404 Central Street
Mildford, MA 01757 Unenrolled
Laurence Osborne 88 North Street
Middleboro, MA 02346 Unenrolled
Lisa Reale 14 Moulton Toad
Arlington, MA 02476 Unenrolled
Stephanie Doty 19 Pine Street
Oxford, MA 01540 Unenrolled
Susan Langley 3 Bradford Road
Milfrod, MA 01757 Unenrolled
GIVEN the dearth of budgets for gifted and talented programs in too many public school districts of Massachusetts, and
GIVEN that it is the goal of public education to offer a challenging and rewarding education to all students regardless of ability, and
GIVEN that the federal regime of Title I mandates the availability of an "enriched and accelerated educational program" and further includes the entirety of the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act of 2001, and
GIVEN that the 2009-10 Massachusetts budget as proposed by Governor Patrick included the spending of $2.5 million on gifted and talented programs – less than 2% of the spending allocated to special education,
We request that the platform of the Massachusetts Democratic Party be amended to include language supporting and valuing the public education of gifted and talented students.
We ask that the language of the education plank be changed from "We support full funding for all mandated programs including special education and English as a Second Language programs.…" to " We support full funding for all mandated programs including special education and English as a Second Language programs, as well as a funded mandate to support the education of gifted and talented students."
We, the undersigned, express support for the following change in the agenda of the Massachusetts Democratic Party:
Name Address Political Affiliation
Mary-Anne Teehan 28 Prospect Street
Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
Rebecca Pearson 15 Beach Street
Dennis, MA 02638 Democrat
Linda Stewart PO Box 564
Hyannisport, MA 02647 Democrat
Jean Loncich 40 Deerfield Road
Osterville, MA 02655 Democrat
Roxanne Niman 353 Burts Point Road
Florence, MA 01062 Democrat
Brian Fitzgerald 153 North Main Street #1
Middleborough, MA 02346 Democrat
Amanda Kenefick 151 North Main Street #3
Middleborough, MA 02346 Democrat
Lynn Sciarretta 44 Elain Ave.
East Falmouth, MA 02536 Democrat
Ann McDonald 26 Green Cove Lane
East Falmouth, MA 02536 Democrat
Andrew Moffat 31 Trillium Way
Amherst MA 01002 Democrat
Rachelle Tarlin 83 Prospect Street
Framingham, MA 01701 Democrat
Helen Finn 17 Six Penny Lane
Dennis, MA 02638 Republican
Lauretta Ruber 33 Simmons Pond Circle
Hyannis, MA 02601 Republican
Libby Smith 38 Newtown Road
Sandwich, MA 02563 Unenrolled
Kathy Mendoza 125 Ocean Port Lane
West Chatham, MA 02663 Unenrolled
Nancy Flasher 20 Court St. #2
Provincetown, MA 02657 Unenrolled
Patricia Graham 4 Sheriffs Lane
East Sandwich, MA 02563 Unenrolled
Meg Fairburn 1 Samoset Road
South Yarmouth, MA 02664 Unenrolled
Maryellen MacDonald 31 Cover Road
Forestdale, MA 02644 Unenrolled
Nola Stephen 31 Trillium Way
Amherst MA 01002 Unenrolled
Education
ReplyDeleteWe wish to highlight support for programs to support diversity and anti-bullying education in schools.
We support increased state funding for mandated educational services and programs, including special education programs which have become unsustainable and disproportionate for smaller systems. This means developing better diagnostic criteria with clear guidelines for implementation and oversight.
We are afraid that the emphasis on small class size unduly favors talented students at the expense of average students.
We advocate more vocational and technical education opportunities throughout the state.
We urge tighter restrictions on the use of electronic equipment by students in schools.
Education:
ReplyDeleteSTOP following Bush's "No Child Left Behind" policy and MCAS testing (see www.educatorroundtable.com)
START implementing No Child Left Inside initiatives and mandate sustainability education (an expansion of environmental education that connects environmental education with economics and equity)
make the study of project-based local history mandatory as a starting place for understanding national and world history and fund field trips and walking tours to local sites
require second language learning in elementary school and require fluency in English and at least one other language as a high school graduation requirement
fund programs for workforce education, esp. for immigrants
extend the school day to offer life skills classes, field trips, health clinics and community service as part of graduate requirements
support music and visual, verbal and performance arts
teach real world science and math through project-based learning
improve the teaching of English language and literature by getting rid of textbooks and giving students inexpensive real books they can take home and read interactively and bring back to the classroom for projects and discussions designed to increase their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills, their comprehension and their ability to think imaginatively and empathetically about themselves and other human beings
College Affordability
ReplyDelete*In the shadow of rising costs of higher education, we implore the state to avoid new taxes and fees to private institutions as well as properly funding public institutions.
Recent discussions in the City of Worcester about dorm taxes are alarming. We believe that these costs will be passed on directly to the students. Not only will this overburden students at the time that they should be establishing financial stability, but they will not invest in local small business, the heart of many college towns.
We discussed the burden of private loans for private schools. Many of us will face up to $100,000 in private loan debt after leaving a private institution. Any additional burden will severely cripple our financial futures.
EDUCATION
ReplyDeleteThe Democratic Party in Massachusetts needs to take a stand in favor of changing the current method of funding Commonwealth Charter Schools. Since its inception the funding system has drained money from regular public schools. In some cases, these public dolIars have gone to for profit charter schools. the current economic climate, steps must be taken to relieve regular public schools from this burden.
RENEWABLE ENERGY
ReplyDeleteAt this time there is no renewable energy plank. I strongly urge that renewable energy be given its own plank because if it isn't, the other planks will become moot.
Fuel supply, world peace, food supply, the environment and public health are threatened. We must support renewable energy in order to create jobs, clean up the
environment, stop global warming and improve public health.
I would like the statement "We support a cap on charter schools" reconsidered. I think it diminishes our commitment to diversity and excellence in public education. it reduces education options for parents dissatisfied with available schools and unable to relocate or afford private schools.
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Ted Dukas
Belmont Democratic Town Committee
I propose that the Massachusetts Democratic Platform include the following language on funding education in the Commonwealth.
ReplyDeleteSupport earmarks in Education funding to Municipalities and Regional School Districts that will adequately support Education, especially to enhance programs and update facilities.
BB: School transportation:
ReplyDeleteChange to we support full funding for public school transportation.
Why do we support a cap on charter schools? (Cap on the # of schools) Charter schools drain money from cities and towns. So, this support for charter schools can drain money from public schools. Re-examine the funding mechanism. Exclusivity issues on the charter schools, public money is being used and not every child can get in. Are we funding charter schools and draining public monies to do so? What is this doing to the budgets of the cities and towns for education?
What impact will the monies from the Stimulus Bill have on education, charter school, formulas for sharing revenues, etc?
There is a little bit of the platform wanting to have their cake and eat it too and not make hard choices for what it wants to do. Can we have charter school support, support for public schools, support mandates for smaller class size, support the unions all at once? Also, are their unfair mandates on the cities and towns without the funds to follow through on that?
What about the cost sharing with the State and the Feds, where is that money? (Parents of special needs kids are torn. They are entitled to benefits, but they aren’t getting federal and state money.) Parents worry about being drains on the system and the support going away. Grow the pie.
Motion: Strike bullet on cap on charter schools.
Substitute: We support providing sufficient and adequate levels of funding from State and Federal sources for children with special needs.
Motion: Strike bullet on cap on charter schools. Vote: equally divided
Dissent on that with a new vote. Testimony divided on the issue.
New motion: Amend bullet #4, we support full state and federal funding for all mandated …
Passed unanimously.
Consensus statement on education:
ReplyDeleteThe Massachusetts Democratic Party will base funding and policy decisions about Pre-K through post-secondary public education using evidence-based practices. Assessments must be conducted on the relative efficacy Charter Schools, METCO, early education, the local aid formula and other critical issues on public education in order to achieve the highest return on investment for taxpayer dollars. Before continuing to invest in traditional educational spending, we must know if certain programs work and, even if they do, we must investigate if there exists evidence that other approaches demonstrate better outcomes. With education as the gateway to a vibrant economy, the Commonwealth must find ways of increasing career and college readiness for all students, regardless of their ability to pay. Finally, we must support professional development for teachers and administrators to remain competitive.
The Massachusetts Democratic Party will base funding and policy decisions about Pre-K through post-secondary public education using evidence-based practices. Assessments must be conducted on the relative efficacy Charter Schools, METCO, early education, the local aid formula and other critical issues on public education in order to achieve the highest return on investment for taxpayer dollars. Before continuing to invest in traditional educational spending, we must know if certain programs work and, even if they do, we must investigate if there exists evidence that other approaches demonstrate better outcomes. With education as the gateway to a vibrant economy, the Commonwealth must find ways of increasing career and college readiness for all students, regardless of their ability to pay. Finally, we must support professional development for teachers and administrators to remain competitive.
ReplyDeleteWe support a cap on charter schools" reconsidered. I think it diminishes our commitment to diversity and excellence in public education. it reduces education options for parents dissatisfied with available schools and unable to relocate or afford private schools.
ReplyDelete[THREAD: EDUCATION]
ReplyDeletePublic education is the foundation of our democracy. It should be funded almost entirely by the state. The teaching profession needs to be brought in as an integral player in the improvement of education.
We believe that K-12 education of Massachusetts’ children should be the state government’s single highest priority. To this end, the state budget should be providing nearly all of the funds required to educate our children. Local taxes should not be required for this purpose except for marginal expenditures. To this end, towns and cities shall be guaranteed from the state budget, at a minimum, an amount per pupil equal to the average amount spent per pupil during the previous three years from all state and local taxes. Since this is the highest priority for use of state funds, it should not be necessary for towns and cities to wait for passage of the state budget before committing these funds.
Education is the highest obligation of our government. Education funding needs to be treated with the same sense of urgency as military funding. Improvement in education can only come through making the teaching profession more attractive to highly qualified people and treating all teachers as professionals.
Testimony of: Stanley N. Griffith
ReplyDeleteFather of four graduates of the Lexington School System
Address: 43 Baskin Road
Lexington MA 02421
Submitted to: the Platform Committee of the Massachusetts Democratic Party
Date: February 28, 2009
To the Democratic Party Platform Committee:
I am an attorney, a husband, father and grandfather. I have a married stepdaughter and an adult son and a 25 year-old daughter, a 26 year-old stepson and two grandchildren who will be attending Massachusetts schools for the foreseeable future. My children and stepchildren and my son-in-law all attended Lexington schools. All these children are healthy, happy, bright, and well adjusted. All have achieved a measure of success in their studies and their careers, in large measure due to the fine education provided to them by the Lexington Schools. My wife and I moved to Lexington because of the quality of the schools and the open and welcoming nature of the town. We have lived in Lexington for over twenty years. I am also President of the Greater Boston Chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gay (Greater Boston PFLAG).
The Lexington schools have long been committed to preserving, maintaining, and strengthening the community values of inclusiveness and welcoming that provide the opportunity for every student to succeed. Accordingly, I wish to speak to a matter of grave concern to me personally and to my organization.
For the past year, Greater Boston PFLAG has been working with Dr. Caitlin Ryan, Director of Adolescent Health Initiatives for the César E. Chávez Institute at San Francisco State University on a number of matters of joint interest. We are so delighted that some of Dr. Ryan’s six-years of groundbreaking research is now available in published form in the January 7. 2009 issue of the journal Pediatrics. In the article, Dr. Ryan and her colleagues document that parental rejection of GLBT kids is a public health menace and can be lethal. A fuller description of Dr. Ryan’s findings and a copy of Dr. Ryan’s article can be found at: http://familyproject.sfsu.edu/publications and http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/123/1/346?ijkey=NrncY0H897lAU&keytype=ref&siteid=aapjournals
Dr. Ryan spoke about the research she conducted through the Family Acceptance Project at a forum in Waltham that was sponsored by Greater Boston PFLAG. We learned: (1) virtually all parents want to do the right thing in raising their children, (2) the vast majority of parents get their information about sexual orientation and gender identity from unreliable resources (peers, churches, media, upbringing, etc.), (3) almost every parent who is confronted with the potentially catastrophic consequences of rejecting behavior toward a GLBT child changes that behavior, and (4) a small amount of positive change in parental behavior makes a big difference in a GLBT child’s life and healthy development.
Since it’s founding, PFLAG has understood that unconditional love and acceptance of a gay child makes a huge positive difference in the child's life. We know as parents how important parental acceptance can be in promoting self-esteem and health and success in later life. While we have always had plenty of anecdotal evidence of the harm that results from rejection and the importance of parental acceptance, Dr. Ryan's research gives us the hard proof that we need to advocate for sound public health policies.
Additional support for the importance of Greater Boston PFLAG’s programs can be found in a recent study published by the national Suicide Prevention Resource Center regarding suicide risk and GLBT Youth. The SPRC report includes among its 21 recommendations for combating depression and suicide among GLBT youth the following: “Promote organizations that support LGBT youth, such as Gay-Straight Alliances and Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG).” (A copy of the full SPRC report can be found at: http://www.sprc.org/library/SPRC_LGBT_Youth.pdf ). The SPRC Report also provides ample evidence of the need for a comprehensive public health effort to reduce risk of suicide in this high-risk population.
In support of my testimony today I am submitting summaries of the alarming findings in the 2007 Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The data show that risk behaviors, including attacks, suicide attempts, fear of violence against GLB youth (as well as use of drugs and alcohol) stayed the same as or were higher in 2007 than in 2005. In 2005 and 2007, the YRBS reported that GLB youth were over four times more likely to have attempted suicide in the past year than their straight peers. The rate of increased reported attempts for GLB youth was significantly higher than the marginal increase for straight students. The percentage of youth reporting serious attempts, those requiring medical attention, remained the same for straight youth (2.2%), but in 2007, the rate of serious attempts rose from 8.2% to 12.1%, meaning that GLB youth were almost six times more likely than their straight peers to have made a serious suicide attempt. The rates at which youth reported skipping school because of feeling unsafe at or en route to school within the past month rose for both gay and straight youth; and the disparity narrowed slightly, although it is still unacceptable that GLB youth are three times more likely to have skipped school within the past month because of safety concerns. Threats and injuries involving weapons against straight youth in the 2007 MYRBS showed a slight decline; but threats and injuries involving weapons involving GLB students almost doubled from 2005 to 2007, so that GLB youth are over four times more likely to have been threatened or injured by a weapon during the past year. While the rate of physical fighting involving straight youth remained the same from 2005 to 2007, it rose for GLB students.
Dr. Ryan’s research, the SPRC Report and the most recent YRBS data, all point to an urgent need to: (1) get the word to parents about the importance of accepting and supporting their GLBT child and (2) strengthen anti-bias programs in schools.
The alarming data regarding elevated risk to GLB students can be explained in part by the defunding of Safe Schools programs in Massachusetts. The truly courageous work that Governor William Weld did to address the issues facing gay youth, was largely undone by the Swift and Romney administrations, who zeroed out funding for safe schools anti-bias programming, which must be continuously administered or its effects are lost because of staff turnover and changes in student populations. In Fiscal Year 2002, Massachusetts funded safe schools programs at $1.6 million. Two years ago, a meager $400,000 was added to the budget over successive Romney vetoes. In the first Patrick administration budget, safe schools funding was "level funded" at $400,000, and $50,000 was added for the Commission on GLBT Youth. Last year, an additional $400,000 was appropriated for the work of the Commission and for safe schools programs, but this is still completely inadequate. Given inflation, a maintenance budget of about $2 million is needed if the mandated annual anti-bias trainings are to be adequately supported.
The failure of conditions for GLBT your to improve can also be attributed to the failure of the Department of Public Health and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the disparities in risk behavior. Not only is there no plan, there does not appear to be a plan to create a plan. The master plan for suicide prevention does not even mention GLBT Youth as a high-risk population. This is not because our public agencies lack concern or awareness of the problems, but these agencies continue to be seriously resource constrained.
The following is a list of specific legislative proposals that the Democratic platform ought to consider supporting:
Increased funding for Safe Schools programming in Massachusetts Schools (support for gay/straight alliances and other similar school support groups, for technical assistance to create school policies prohibiting gay slurs and bullying, for anti-bias training of faculty and students)
Increased funding for state agencies to address the public health menace posed by parental rejection of GLBT kids
Support for the pending Transgender civil rights and hate crimes legislation
Support for pending Anti-bullying legislation
Support for pending Comprehensive Health Education that would include accurate science based education about the issues of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression
Additionally, I would like to call the attention of the Platform Committee to the fact that the safe and inclusive character of Massachusetts schools that we have worked so hard to build is being attacked by national and local hate groups that are committed to rolling back the gains made by gay and lesbian persons in securing equal rights and protection from discrimination. As part of that campaign, at the behest of a Massachusetts hate group that is active here in Lexington, every year bills are introduced into the Massachusetts House of Representatives for the express purpose of undermining the safe and inclusive environments that our schools provide through programs designed to promote tolerance and to prevent bullying of gay and lesbian youth. These bills, if adopted into law, would impose unreasonable and impractical requirements for parental notification and consent when same-gender families are mentioned in classroom discussion and would undo the principles of safe classrooms and community that the Lexington schools have promoted and supported for decades. The practical reality is that if the restrictions contained in these bills were adopted, teachers would be forced to either exclude the children of same-gender parents from discussions or remove other children from class whenever same-gender families are mentioned. Following the procedures imposed by these bills would send the destructive message that some families are not as valued as others. It would undermine the important concept that the public schools value all our children and their families. I would urge the Platform Committee to take a strong position in opposition to the adoption of laws designed to impede diversity and safe schools education and programs or to restrict the flow of information that ensures inclusion and safety.
I am here speaking in opposition this type of legislation because I am concerned about the adverse effects that these bills would have on education in Lexington and on schools throughout the Commonwealth. I am also concerned about the adverse effects on our children who witness the expressions of hatred and intolerance toward their classmates and their families. I would urge the Democratic Party to protect the fundamental rights and dignity of all the children and families in Massachusetts, and to ensure that our schools remain safe, welcoming and inclusive.
I thank the Platform Committee for its attention to these matters.
Respectfully submitted,
Stanley N. Griffith