Education Reform: A Moral Obligation to Close Achievement Gaps

Press Release

Governor Patrick met with students at the Excel Academy Charter School in East Boston this morning.

This morning, Governor Patrick visited the Excel Academy Charter School in East Boston to discuss his education reform agenda, and pressed the legislature to move forward swiftly on the education reform bill now before the House. Yesterday, the Senate passed a sweeping package which would expand the number of charter schools in the Commonwealth, support innovation in all of the state's public and charter schools, and provide opportunities for the state to intervene in consistently underperforming schools. Governor Patrick's reforms also aim to address the achievement gap that disproportionately impacts students who speak English as a second language, students of color, and students in special education. "We have a moral obligation, nearly two decades unmet, to deal with our kids who are stuck in achievement gaps," said Governor Patrick in a letter to senators yesterday. "We have further incentive in the form of a well-timed federal grant opportunity. The federal Race to the Top guidelines are explicit that Massachusetts's application will be strongly advantaged if we pass this education reform proposal."

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