Citizens for Public Schools

Dear CPS members:

The Governor signed the new education bill into law on Monday, January 18. Below is a summary of the bill from AFTMA (and a link to statements from the MTA). These comments are followed by a notice from the Pioneer Institute. As you will note, Pioneer Institute is concerned about charter schools having to fill empty seats with students on waiting lists or advertise their availability when there is no waiting list. CPS has fought for that provision. It may discourage them from pushing out students and sending them back to district schools. Public schools have to take students during the school year, charter schools should also have to also.

Marilyn Segal, Executive Director

Summary of Ed Reform Legislation, Prepared by the AFT-MASS

AN ACT TO REDUCE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP

THE EDUCATION LEGISLATION, KNOWN AS AN ACT TO REDUCE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP, HAS PASSED BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE.   → Read More

CALL TODAY AND SEND A SIMPLE, URGENT MESSAGE TO YOUR LEGISLATORS.

TELL YOUR SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVE TO VOTE NO ON S2247.

THE SENATE IS GOING INTO SESSION TO VOTE ON THE EDUCATION BILL, WHICH HAS JUST COME OUT OF THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

IF S2247 IS PASSED BY THE SENATE, IT WILL THEN GO TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES!

A QUICK READING INDICATES THAT IT IS THE WORST OF BOTH BILLS – MORE CHARTER SCHOOL PRIVATIZATION AND MORE ANTI-TEACHER PROVISIONS.

ENCOURAGING PRIVATE MANAGEMENT OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND TAKING BASIC RIGHTS FROM OUR TEACHERS DOES NOT HELP CHILDREN LEARN:

* IT DOES NOT ENSURE ADEQUATE RESOURCES BUT DIVERTS FUNDS FROM THE MOST NEEDY STUDENTS.

* IT MOVES US TOWARD A TWO-TIER SCHOOL SYSTEM.

* IT DOES NOTHING TO REVERSE THE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF TOO MUCH TESTING.

* IT IS LIKELY TO DRIVE THE BEST TEACHERS AWAY FROM WORKING IN SCHOOLS THAT NEED THEM MOST.   → Read More

Dear CPS Members and Education Activists:

Action Requested
CPS urges our members to call their reps immediately and ask these House members to support amendments that provide better oversight of charters, fairer process for approval of charters, and lessen the impact on the students remaining in the sending school districts.  Sending school districts must have a role in the process rather than have outsiders impose schools that will reduce resources for the rest of the district. Teachers need to be part of the solution in improving schools.  Treating teachers and teacher-unions as the enemy, as some of the bill’s provisions do, is counter-productive.

We know that the procharter school forces are well organized and will be deluging the state house with phone calls and emai l- one only has to look at today’s Globe editorial page to see them at work. WE NEED TO HAVE OUR VOICES HEARD!

If you do not know the name of your Representative go to Where do I vote MA and click on Massachusetts: My Election Information.   → Read More

Dear CPS Members and Education advocates:

I write to you to urge you to support CPS.

Last year when I retired after teaching for 32 years, I found myself, at long last, with time to advocate for and support public schools. I looked for a place where I could make a positive impact for the children and teachers in our public schools.

I found Citizens for Public Schools because I understand that they are the only ones in the state whose sole function is to support public schools. CPS does not have a vested interest when it works to promote, preserve and protect public schools and public education.

Volunteering steadily with CPS this year, I have been really amazed at the interconnections of CPS and so many organizations that directly or indirectly support our students, educators and communities.

I had never before spent time on Beacon Hill because I was always working during the hours that one could testify or visit legislators in their offices.   → Read More