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Strange how this platform differs from that on the MDP website. That is an unfortunate decision.
ReplyDeleteRegardless, I want to offer testimony in my role as a public school teacher, where I see the different challenges for my different students every day. I'm glad that my bilingual and special education students are supported in law and in this platform…they certainly face strong challenges.
Nevertheless, another group worries me. My high achieving students languish in this public system where there is no real incentive to push gifted and talented students to achieve beyond the bare minimum mandated by the law. I want to see the law and funding changed to get the most out of all students, regardless of their starting point.
Consequently, I would hope to see the language of the plank of the MDP agenda 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."
I will be offering further testimony and agreement on this change later, but wanted to post it here for now.
Full funding of all state and federal mandates imposed upon school districts. Implement reform to allow districts the flexibility to create regional administration of special education and other services. Thereby, developing economies of scale for the more than 2/3 school districts with less than 5,000 students.
ReplyDeleteAs technology has erased many traditional geographic boundaries, education services must become more flexible and fluid through elimination of artificial boundaries imposed by town and city lines. One superintendent per town may no longer be necessary with advances in technology. Costs to administer education should not preclude children from getting an education.
We strongly affirm this piece of the education plank
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased to see the Democratic Party taking a stand on behalf of children in the Commonwealth with unusual potential. Gifted & Talented students have special learning needs that require curriculum modifications, similar to English Language Learners or Special Education students. We don't expect a SPED student with and IQ of 70 or less, or a child who doesn't speak English to work on the same material at the same pace as the students doing the standard curriculum. Nor can we expect that of students with IQ's of 130 or more. MA needs to join other states that mandate identification and services to that gifted students get appropriately challenging curriculum and are not the ones being left behind! It does not fullfill our pledge to each child for a free and appropiate education, and it does not ensure that our children with the most to offer are challenged to develop their full potential.
ReplyDelete