Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education

Jennie Williamson, a Mass. parent and state director of EdTrust in Mass., a nonprofit committed to dismantling the racial and economic barriers embedded in the education system, argues the state requirement that students pass MCAS to graduate "has played an essential role in promoting equity because it ensures that all students—regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background—meet the same baseline standard for graduation while allowing local districts the flexibility to decide how best to help their students meet that standard." Read Jennie's op-ed. https://lnkd.in/eTJgPV4M

This afternoon, many of the state’s top elected officials including Governor Healey, Lt. Governor Driscoll, A.G. Campbell, and more held a press conference to voice their opposition to Question 2. Question 2 would eliminate Massachusetts’ only uniform graduation requirement and replace it with more than 300 different and unequal standards established by each school district. The press conference comes after Protect Our Kids’ Future: Vote No On 2 announced the support of a bipartisan coalition of dozens of elected officials who oppose Question 2. votenoquestion2.org #mcas #education #boston #mapoli

A report out today shows that if we eliminate MCAS as a graduation requirement, we are left with wide variation in expectations for students and unequal access to a program of study that prepares students for postsecondary success. The Voices for Academic Equity report finds that 50% of MA high schools do NOT have graduation requirements that are aligned with the state's recommended course of study and are therefore NOT aligned with the minimum undergraduate admissions standards at state universities and UMass campuses. Read the report: https://bit.ly/4eELLuy

A Boston Globe editorial referring to the results of education reforms that made MA schools the envy of the nation, concludes "By removing the MCAS requirement — without replacing it with any alternative statewide method of ensuring diplomas remain meaningful — Question 2 would put that progress at risk. Education is the core strength of Massachusetts — our workforce, our government, our future — and that is not a risk we can afford to take. The Globe strongly endorses a no vote on Nov. 5." https://lnkd.in/en-UN9sT

MBAE is pleased to announce that Jamie McDonald has joined as a member. Both of Jamie's parents were teachers and education has always been an important family value. He believes the education system has an incredible opportunity for improvement in terms of what is taught, how it is taught, and the pathways to a successful career. He has focused his community involvement on education organizations including the Boston Leaders for Education, the Sarah Greenwood School in Boston, the Old Colony Montessori School in Hingham and Year Up Boston. Jamie is now excited to engage with MBAE to help expand his impact.    Jamie is currently Senior Vice President - Wealth Management for the McDonald Bechtel Group/UBS and has spent 20+ years in the financial services industry. He earned a B.A. in Economics from Davidson College and a Certificate of Financial Planning from the School of Financial Planning at Merrimack College.   MBAE members inform our work by sharing their experience and perspective on education and workforce development issues. Together with our partners and affiliates, we’re working to promote a high-quality public education system that prepares every student for success leading to more equitable opportunities, a stronger, more diverse workforce, and a thriving Massachusetts economy. Visit https://lnkd.in/e64fSZP2 for more information. James J. McDonald, CFP®

MBAE welcomes and thanks Jim DuPont for becoming our newest member! Throughout his career, Jim has dedicated his time to helping first generation students and working adults obtain college degrees. He hopes to be an active contributor in MBAE’s efforts to support student achievement and strengthen the future workforce.   Among Jim’s career highlights are founding one of the first merit scholarship programs at Fitchburg State, creating one of the first Early College programs in Massachusetts, a collaboration between Fisher College, Brook Farm Academy, and the Bank of America now celebrating its eighteenth year, and developing multiple pathway programs. He recently founded Dynamic Partnerships (dynamicpartnerships.org) to bridge the skills gap and unlock collective growth.    MBAE members inform our work by sharing their experience and perspective on education and workforce development issues. Together with our partners and affiliates, we’re working to promote a high-quality public education system that prepares every student for success leading to more equitable opportunities, a stronger, more diverse workforce, and a thriving Massachusetts economy. Visit https://lnkd.in/e64fSZP2 for more information.

MBAE is excited to welcome Kerry McGraw as our newest member! Kerry supports MBAE because she believes that high quality education is the key to building the future we want—one with a robust economy, a vibrant democracy, and a society in which all individuals can succeed.    Kerry’s career has spanned the private, public, and non-profit sectors. She is currently the Chief Operating Officer at Wistia, a video software company based in Cambridge, MA. Previously she served as an economic analyst for the federal government, worked for a small non-profit, and led growth strategy projects as a Principal at the Boston Consulting Group.   MBAE members inform our work by sharing their experience and perspective on education and workforce development issues. Together with our partners and affiliates, we’re working to promote a high-quality public education system that prepares every student for success leading to more equitable opportunities, a stronger, more diverse workforce, and a thriving Massachusetts economy. Visit https://lnkd.in/e64fSZP2 for more information.

Great piece from Timothy Murray, President & CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, urging MA voters to reject Question 2 and maintain high standards for students. The list of state leaders against this measure just keeps growing. https://lnkd.in/e6arf8yc

MBAE strongly supports the state requirement that students pass MCAS to graduate high school. We agree with The Wall Street Journal editorial that states "The point is to make sure students don’t fall through the cracks, and it works." https://lnkd.in/eAyPEk_m

MBAE is proud to defend the statewide graduation requirement alongside teachers, parents, education advocates, elected officials, and business groups as a member of the Protect Our Kids' Future: Vote No On 2 coalition. Together, we seek to preserve educational standards for students and ensure equitable academic opportunities for all kids across the Commonwealth. “Statewide assessments provide a common, objective standard that ensures every public school student in Massachusetts is reaching for the same bar, regardless of their background,” said Former Secretary of Education Jim Peyser. “By maintaining a fair and uniform standard for what high school graduates need to know and be able to do, we enable students to demonstrate their skills on a level playing field, while ensuring that struggling students get the help they need to succeed. Scrapping this requirement would create more than 300 different and unequal graduation standards, weakening our state’s best-in-the-nation academic standards and undermining our commitment to equity.” Read more about the Coalition and learn why legislators and Healey administration officials oppose ballot question 2 here: https://lnkd.in/eJR7h9pb