June 17, 2009 State of Education: Making the Grade in Massachusetts

NECN and the Boston Foundation are proud to team up for a year-long examination of the Massachusetts education system. "State of Education: Making the Grade in Massachusetts" will explore the myriad issues and challenges facing the state's education system from kindergarten to college, and seek out the success stories that serve as possible building blocks for an improved system.

The 2008-2009 series kicked off October 28 - and wrapped up on June 16, 2009.

June 16: Maintaining High Expectations

On June 16, The Boston Foundation and NECN concluded the series, "State of Education: Making the Grade in Massachusetts." Over the course of this year we have been looking at how to improve education for the students of Massachusetts. We have focused on some of the ingredients of successful schools. Chief among them: Maintaining high expectations.

Panelists included:

Paul Reville, the Massachusetts Secretary of Education
Carol Johnson, Superintendent of The Boston Public Schools
State Rep. Marty Walz of Boston, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education
and Chris Gabrieli, an entrepreneur and Co-founder and Chairman of Massachusetts 2020

Click on the images below to watch segments of the show.

width="150">	NECN reporter Peter Howe sets the stage for the discussion with a look at some of the education reforms that have been working well, and what obstacles exist to widespread change.
	With the stage set for the day's discussion, NECN's Chet Curtis and Paul Grogan, president and CEO of the Boston Foundation host the discussion. They introduce the panel and begin the night's discussion.
	In this segment, Chris Gabrieli briefly talks about federal standards for education. Also Marty Walz and Carol Johnson discuss funding for schools in suburbs, and those in urban areas.
	When it comes to quality education, many claim the KIPP Academies are setting the standard. The charter schools are popping up all around the country. There will be 90 by next fall. NECN's Peter Howe reports from Lynn, the location of the only KIPP Academy in Massachusetts.
	In this segment, the panel reacts to Peter Howe's package on the KIPP School. Would this system work in Boston? Reville says he has visited the school, and was very impressed. He has spoken with representatives from KIPP and other high performing schools, to learn how to apply the knowledge and skill they've developed.
	In the final segment, Gabrieli discusses how funding for the extended day would be achieved. Also, the panel shares there final thoughts on all of the topics discussed.

April 14: Training and Supporting Teachers

On April 14, we took a look at one of most vexing issues facing school districts in Massachusetts and around the nation. How do we recruit, mentor and retain the outstanding teachers we need? Panelists included:

Paul Toner, Vice President of the Massachusetts Teachers Association

Jonathan Bassett, Director of the Newton Teacher Training Institute

Jill Harrison Berg, Director of Research and Development at Teachers 21

and Elizabeth Pauley, a Senior Program Officer focusing on education at the Boston Foundation.

Click on the images below to watch segments of the show.

	Last year, a state/union/private foundation study called MassTELLS aimed at drawing insights into what would help teachers stay and students thrive. What they found showed that the system needs some remedial work to better support classroom professionals. Peter Howe reports.
	With the stage set for the day's discussion, NECN's Chet Curtis and Paul Grogan, president and CEO of the Boston Foundation host the discussion. Each of our panelists has had classroom experience. To open the discussion, they describe qualities that make a great teacher.
	In this segment, the panelists discuss teacher contracts, and whether or not they do more harm than good in reform efforts.
	Engaging and supporting new teachers is one of the biggest challenges facing education systems. It's inspiring different models for teacher training. Josie Glossen is one of 75 aspiring Boston teachers who represent a very different kind of student teacher: Participants in Boston Teacher Residency. Peter Howe introduces us to her, and the program.
	In this segment, the panel discusses Peter Howe's report on the Boston Teacher Residency Program, and other training possibilities.
	We wrap up the seventh installment of "State of Education: Making the Grade in Massschusetts" with a discussion of charter schools. The panelists also share their closing thoughts.

March 25: Protecting Schools from Violence

On March 25, we looked at the growing concerns over violent crime in Boston and its impact on education in the city. The increase in violent crime threatens to derail the aspirations of a generation of young inner city residents, despite the achievements of Boston’s schools in recent years. Chet Curtis and Paul Grogan of the Boston Foundation led the discussion, as panelists examined the implications of this increase in crime and present a compelling new strategy for combating it called StreetSafe Boston. Panelists included:

Barbara Ferrer, Executive Director of the Boston Health Commission

Julie Coles, Headmaster of the Greater Egleston Community High School

Robert Lewis, Vice President for Program at the Boston Foundation

Neil Sullivan, Executive Director of the Boston Private Industry Council

Click on the images below to watch segments of the show.

	NECN's Peter Howe sets the stage for tonight's discussion with a look at the impact of violence on learning and success at school.
	In this segment, Paul Grogan reacts to Peter Howe's report about the impact of violence on learning. He says that although the Boston school system has had success quelling violence in the past, the question is whether or not they can repeat that. The panel joins to discuss.
	In this segment the panel discusses the connection between violence and the dropout rate. Neil Sullivan says that young people do understand that without a high school diploma and something beyond, their chances of getting a good job are in freefall. He says that when a student drops out of school, it is very important to get them back in before they resort to other options on the street, which is where the violence happens.
	In this segment, NECN's Greg Wayland takes an in-depth look at a unique program in Boston that targets violence among youths - StreetSafe Boston.
	In this segment the panel reacts to Greg Wayland's report on project StreetSafe. Paul Grogan says he has been watching other programs around the country such as impressive efforts in Chicago and Providence. That said, he feels safe saying that no other program is on the same scale or ambition as the Safe Streets program.
	We close the hour as the panel continues their discussion of SafeStreets Boston. Grogan talks about how the Boston Foundation will come up with the money to fund the program. Given the tough economic climate, some may say the Foundation is "foolhardy" to take on the program, but Paul says he prefers to be called "intrepid".

February 18: The Arts Advantage

On February 18, 2009, The Boston Foundation and NECN looked more closely at the role of the arts in a well-rounded education, both inside and outside the classroom. Chet Curtis of NECN and Paul Grogan of the Boston Foundation were joined by a panel that included:

Steven Seidel, a Lecturer on Arts in Education at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education

Anthony Trecek-King, the Artistic Director of the Boston Children’s Chorus

Linda Nathan, the principal at Boston Arts Academy

And Donna Glick, Director of Education at the Huntington Theatre Company

Click on the images below to watch segments of the show.

	Setting the stage for the night's discussion, NECN's Peter Howe looks at the new report “The Arts Advantage”, and takes us to the Winship School, where arts classes teach more than just artistic skills.
	Chet and Paul bring the panelists into the discussion, and get their initial take on the report, what’s working in arts education in Boston and where things need to improve.
	Massachusetts is one of only four states without an arts education mandate, and one of only 10 states that does not have a high school arts education requirement. That raises concern that the arts can be first to get cut. Our panelists look ahead at arts education’s future.
	At the Boston Children's Chorus, singers are learning how to make beautiful music, and you'll probably never imagine how much they're also learning about math and reading and diligent study habits. Peter Howe takes a closer look.
	In this segment, the panel looks more at the Boston Children's Chorus. Artistic Director Anthony Trecek-King discusses setting high expectations, and creating an environment for students to meet them. And the panel looks toward what is going to take to get skeptics to acknowledge the benefits of arts in education.
	We close the hour of discussion with a look at whether there is a future for mandating arts education in Massachusetts, and our panelists share their final thoughts on the future of the arts in schools and society.

January 8: Pilot, Charter or Traditional?:

On January 8, 2009, The Boston Foundation and NECN led a discussion of the Boston Foundation's new report examining and comparing the progress made by students in Boston's pilot, charter and traditional schools. Chet Curtis of NECN and Paul Grogan of the Boston Foundation were joined by a panel that included:

Paul Reville, Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Greg Shell, Chairman of the Board of the Roxbury Preparatory Charter School

Janet Palmer Owens, Boston Public Schools Superintendent for Pilot Schools

Chris Gabrieli, co-founder and chair of Massachusetts 2020

Click on the images below to watch segments of the show.

	Setting the stage for the night's discussion, NECN's Peter Howe takes a closer look at the findings of the Foundation report, and gets reaction from some key players in education in Boston, and Massachusetts.
	Having set the stage with Peter's report, Chet and Paul get initial reactions from the panelists on charter and pilot schools. They comment on what aspects make each school unique, and successful.
	In this segment, the focus turns to funding - and the challenges and opportunities of each school type - charter, pilot and traditional.
	In the first half of the program, the panel has focused a lot of what works from a broad perspective. Peter Howe begins the second half of the program with an example of a successful charter school - Roxbury Prep Charter School in Boston.
	With Greg Shell of the Roxbury Prep Charter School on the panel, the panelists look more closely at the success at the school, and the critical importance of quickly separating out the innovations that improve education from those that do not.
	As we wrap up the fourth installment in our series, the panelists discuss the intersection of charter and pilot school development and civil rights, and provide their final thoughts on tonight's program.

December 17: The education pipeline

December 17th, the Boston Foundation and NECN focused on one of the most comprehensive reports on education ever undertaken in the city of Boston. The Education Pipeline: A Report Card examined the performance of higher education from pre-K to college and beyond in Boston. It made for a rich jumping off point for the discussion, which was led by Chet Curtis of NECN and Paul Grogan, President and CEO of the Boston Foundation. Panelists included:

Margaret Blood, Founder and President, Strategies for Children

Mandy Savitz-Romer, Director, Risk and Prevention Program at Harvard Univ. Graduate School of Education

Michael Contompasis, Director of Intergovernmental Relations and External Affairs, City of Boston

Rev. Ray Hammond, Pastor, Bethel AME Church, Boston

Click on the images below to watch segments of the show.

	The Boston Foundation report "The Education Pipeline" for the first time examines in data-rich detail the entire arc of the educational experience in the city - from early childhood through college or post-secondary training and on to the regional workforce. Peter Howe takes a look inside the numbers.
	With the stage set, Chet Curtis and Paul Grogan introduce the panel and begin the conversation with a discussion on the importance of getting to children early, and the challenge of getting parents involved.
	The conversation continues with another of the amjor challenges facing educators: How do you identify and engage at-risk children with the services they need to succeed?
	The Boston Foundation report looks at the education pipeline from pre-K to college and beyond. And one effort to improve the system involves engaging students from all the levels, and getting them together. NECN's Peter Howe reports on Jumpstart-- which pairs college students with pre-schoolers and it's a life changing experience for all those involved.
	It's easy to get caught up in the challenges outlined in the report, but there are signs of progress as well. In this segment, the panel discusses strides that have been made in the Boston Public Schools, and how to build on them.
	The panelists close out the show with a discussion of changes and reforms that should be made, and then offer some final thoughts on tonight's discussion.

November 20: A focus on higher education

November 20th, the Boston Foundation and NECN continued with the second show of the 'State of Education' series with a focus on higher education. RD Sahl of NECN joined Boston Foundation President and CEO Paul Grogan for a discussion that began with a disturbing statistic - that two-thirds of Boston Public Schools graduates who go on to college never graduate. But while the system faces challenges turning are still blocks to build from, as RD and Paul discussed with the panel, which included:

Dr. Joseph Aoun, President, Northeastern University

Irvin Scott, Academic Superintendent, Boston Public Schools

and Susan Dalelio, Director, Posse Foundation

Click on the images below to watch segments of the show.

	While close to 2/3 of all graduating Boston seniors go to college, barely a third are actually graduating. NECN's Peter Howe takes a closer look at the issues raised by a new report from Northeastern University.
	Following the story by Peter Howe on the shockingly small number of students graduating from Boston Public Schools went on to finish college, our panelists delved into a closer examination of the problem as it stands now, and some of the possible ways to address it.
	In this segment, successful higher education programs are discussed such as Northeastern's Co-Op program, which connects learning and real-world work in the student's field.
	One of the major obstacles for even the most successful academic college students is the cost of a college education. But a non-profit has been working to make college accessible to as many Boston Public School students as possible. Peter Howe reports on Access.
	The program Access is just one of a number of programs out there endeavoring to make college more affordable. In this segment, the panel discusses the difficulty of paying for college, and what institutions are doing to help make college more accessible to everyone.
	So how do we make progress? Panelists provide their final thoughts.

October 28: Where are we now?

On October 28th, the Boston Foundation and NECN kicked off the series with a panel discussion that sets the stage for our yearlong examination, looking at the current state of the system, and some of the innovations that are already underway in Massachusetts. Chet Curtis of NECN and Paul Grogan, President and CEO of the Boston Foundation, moderated the panel, which included:

Massachusetts Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester

UMass-Boston Chancellor Keith Motley

June Eressy, Principal of the University Park Campus School in Worcester, Massachusetts

Charlie Baker, CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare and a founding member of 'Leaders for Education', a group of corporate leaders advocating for education reform.

Click on the images below to watch segments of the show.

	After more than a decade leading the Boston school system, Thomas Payzant is taking on big ideas. As an author and lecturer, adviser and reformer, Payzant is taking the message of setting high standards and preparing and rewarding teachers across the nation.
	Chet and Paul introduce the panel, and get first impressions on where Massachusetts stands, and where the system needs to improve to continue the trend of improvement.
	Improving public education is a large challenge, but in recent months, there has been a new burden placed on districts, to do the job of improving schools in an economic environment that makes education dollars more scarce. The panel discusses cost-effective improvements.
	Educators looking for inpiration can turn an eye toward Worcester, Massachusetts. University Park Campus School is a school whose academic achievement would be a success anywhere, and a triumph in a neighborhood like Worcester's South Main section.
	Preaching success is one thing - achieving it can be another. Paul and Chet bring University Park Campus School principal June Eressy and the panel into the discussion, to discuss what makes University Park a success, and how to replicate those successes in the larger system. Are charter schools the answer? Pilot schools? The panel takes up the issue.
	How do you create an environment to attract stronger teachers, reward success and encourage innovation? The panel gives their thoughts, and wraps up the hour of spirited discussion.