Please take a look at a new report, “Rethinking School Accountability: Opportunities for Massachusetts Under the Every Student Succeeds Act,” produced by Senator Pat Jehlen’s office with input from AFTMA and the MTA (and many others). In the report, you’ll find useful information relating to the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the Achievement Gap Act, accountability, education “reform,” school funding, Turnaround schools, and more. Senator Jehlen presented it to the State Senate last week and submitted it to the Education Committee.
The report is an indictment of test-based accountability, demonstrating that recent trends haven’t closed achievement gaps. And it’s a cry for more funding for high-poverty schools. Educators and community members will find a huge amount of useful information, and this report will help frame future conversations on test-based accountability and funding.
Upcoming BTU Events & Committee Meetings
Committee on Teachers in SPC Roles: Thursday, May 17
Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 17 from 4:30-6 PM. Please RSVP by emailing Paul at ptritter@btu.org.
Unafraid Educators Meeting: Thursday, May 17
Please join us from 4:30-6:30 PM at the O’Bryant School. Please RSVP by emailing Farah at fassiraj@btu.org.
Restorative Justice Meeting: Tuesday, May 22
Please join us from 4:30-6:30 PM at the BTU. Please RSVP by emailing Farah at fassiraj@btu.org.
Guidance Counselors Committee Meeting: Tuesday, May 22
Please join us from 4:30-6:30 PM at the BTU. RSVP by emailing Jonathan atjrodrigues@btu.org.
Teacher Feedback Group on Juvenile Justice: Tuesday, May 22
Please join us at 4:30 at the BTU. This new strategic plan will lay out a vision for how the system can work better and improve racial equity. RSVP with Jonathan at jrodrigues@btu.org and Lee at leenave@cfjj.org.
Pride Parade 2018: Saturday, June 9
We are so excited that we will be walking in Pride this year as a group, and we would love for you all to join us. Pride will be taking place on June 9. Please register to join us and contact Derek Arthur at darthur@btu.org with any questions. Download a flyer.
NEW — Mass Ed Justice Alliance (MEJA) Convening: June 23
The Mass Ed Justice Alliance is hosting its first statewide meeting of activists on Saturday, June 23 from 9-2:30 PM in Worcester. Learn how far we’ve come, share skill-building workshops to help our movement, and come to consensus on action steps statewide for winning on our #FundOurSchools and #DebtFreeFuture campaigns. Please RSVP by emailing Jonathan at jrodrigues@btu.org, and invite friends on Facebook.