Governing Change? Considerations for Massachusetts Education Policymakers
Friday, April 27, 2007
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Omni Parker House Hotel
60 School Street
Boston, MA
Presented by the:
Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy
Join us for the release of a policy brief and a policy discussion exploring the opportunities and challenges of restructuring Massachusetts’ education governance.
Session Overview
Governor Patrick is currently considering the development of legislation to reconfigure the structures that govern education in Massachusetts. Recently established task forces are now advising the governor on the outline of the new plan.
The rationale for restructuring education governance is that if public education is to be a seamless process that starts in pre-school and terminates at the post-secondary level, then the system might be more efficiently and effectively governed by a single, unified structure. While there is growing interest in creating an integrated governance structure, there is also concern. However appealing the benefits seem, the challenges, substantive and political, of dismantling the current bureaucracy and assembling a new system are significant.
At this event, the Rennie Center will release and discuss findings from its policy brief entitled, Governing Change? Considerations for Education Policymakers. The research includes case studies of four states’ efforts to develop P-20 education systems and draws implications for Massachusetts’ policymakers.
Following the research presentation, panelists will discuss opportunities and obstacles to creating a new structure for education governance in Massachusetts. The event will conclude with a moderated respondent discussion and an opportunity for audience participation.
Research Presentation
Celine Coggins, Ph.D., Research Director, Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy
Moderated Panel Discussion
Edward Augustus, Senator, Massachusetts State Legislature; Vice Chair, Joint Committee on Education
Margaret Blood, Founder and President, Strategies for Children; President and Campaign Director, Early Education for All Campaign
Dana Mohler-Faria, Education Adviser to Governor Deval Patrick; President, Bridgewater State College
Robert Schwartz, Academic Dean, Harvard Graduate School of Education; former Education Adviser to Governor Michael Dukakis
Moderator
Paul Reville, President, Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy; Director, Education Policy and Management Program, Harvard Graduate School of Education; Chair, Governor's P-12 Education Task Force
REGISTRATION
Call the Rennie Center reservation line at 617-354-0002, ext. 13 or register online using the registration form below. Registration is free, however space is limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
About the Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy
The Rennie Center's mission is to develop a public agenda that informs and promotes significant improvement of public education in Massachusetts. Our work is motivated by a vision of an education system that creates the opportunity to educate every child to be successful in life, citizenship, employment and life-long learning. Applying nonpartisan, independent research, and civic engagement, the Center is creating a civil space to foster thoughtful public discourse to inform and shape effective policy. For more information, visit us at www.renniecenter.org.
